History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania volunteer cavalry which was recruited and known as the Anderson cavalry in the rebellion of 1861-1865;

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HISTORY

OF THE

Fifteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer
Cavalry

WHICH WAS RECRUITED AND KNOWN AS

THE ANDERSON CAVALRY

in the Rebellion of 1861-1865

EDITED AND COMPILED BY

CHARLES H. KIRK

First Lieutenant Company E

ASSISTED BY

THE HISTORICAL COMMITTEE

OF THK

Society of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry

PHILADELPHIA
1906

365C27

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

Preface 7

Introduction 9

The Inception and Organization of the Regiment. ... 13
Reminiscences of the Early Days of the Anderson

Cavalry 17

Antietam 30

A Scout to Hagerstovvn 41

Extract from Col. A. K. McClure's Book. "Lincoln and

Men of War Times" 43

After Information with Colonel Palmer 47

Reminiscences of Antietam 49

On Picket at Antietam 56

Colonel Palmer and the Patriotic Parson 59

Our First Campaign 62

Sergeant Betts and Old Company E 71

A Private Foraging Party at Bowling Green which

Failed 73

The Christmas Foraging Expedition in 1862 75

Death of Martin L. Hill 'j'j

Fifteenth Pennsylvania (Anderson) Cavalry at Stone

River 80

The Halt at Overall^s Creek loi

Major Rosengarten's Last Order to Major Ward 103

Incident of Stone River Battle 104

What I Saw at Stone River 108

The Charge on Infantry at Stone River 1 1 1

Capture of Our Wagon Train by Wheeler's Cavalry. . . 116

With Rosengarten's Battalion at Stone River 118

Story of a Typical Capture, Imprisonment and Ex-
change 121

Among the Killed and Wounded at Stone River : 129

My Charge at Stone River 137

3

4 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

PAGE.

With Our Captured Wagon Train 140

Bringing Our Dead Back to Nashville 142

The Chase Brothers 145

From Stone River to Libby 147

Will Ward's Hunt for His Brother, the Major 154

At Nashville 178

A Close Call 182

Reorganization and Middle Tennessee Campaign 187

The Christian Spirit of the Regiment 195

"L" and "E" Carrying a Dispatch to General Mitchell,

AT Rover 202

Courier Duty 204

Memories Musical of Camp Fires 206

The Escort Companies at Army Headoltarters 211

How I Became Acquainted with Gen. P. H. Sheridan. . . 217

On the Courier Line 220

Carrying Dispatches from General Rosecrans to Gen-
eral Stanley 222

The Chickamauga Campaign 225

Incidents During the Battle of Chickamauga 240

At Headquarters During the Battle of Chickamauga . . 244

Experience of a Courier at Chickamauga 249

With General Garfield at Chickamauga 2,^4

The Break at Chickamauga and the Ride it Cost Me. . 259

Orderly Duty at Headquarters During Battle 262

A Wild Ride by a Courier at Chickamauga 268

Chickamauga's Stricken Field 271

How Two of Us Got Lost After Chickamauga 276

Bringing in the Chickamauga Wounded 278

Our Teamsters 280

Company L on Lookout Mountain 286

First Step Toward Opening the Cracker Line 297

Opening the Cracker Line 299

Capture of Our Wagon Train in Seoltatchie VxVlley,

Tennessee 303

Sequatchie 307

Major Ward's Charlie 312

War's Varied Duties 314

Contents. 5

PAGE.

Company I at Missionary Ridge 324

Patriotic Utterances of Gen. Geo. H. Thomas 327

Henri Le Caron — One of Our Characters 328

First East Tennessee Campaign — December 3, 1863. to

February it, 1864 331

Scouting in East Tennessee 340

The Cherokee Indian Raid 345

Fighting Cherokee Indians 348

The Pursuit and Capture of General A\\nce 351

Dandridge 24TH OF December, 1863 354

Wounded and Left to Die in Rebel Hands 357

A Peculiar Situation 363

]\Iy Escape from Andersonville 365

Prison Life at Belle Island and Andersonville 377

Continuation of Andersonville Narrative 388

The Midnight Crossing of the French Broad 391

The Wrong Men Shot ; . . -. 394

"Hold the Fort"' 397

Hood's Attack on Resaca, Ga 404

Foraging When Hood Cut Our Cracker Line 407

Second East Tennessee Campaign 409

Scout to Find General Burbridge 415

Recollections of the Burbridge Trip 421

The Rear Gltard at McKinney's Ford 425

A Trip to Sand Mountain, Ga 430

The Vote of the Regiment in the Presidential Election 432

Sojourn in Dixie 434

The Last Blow at Hood's Army 440

Capture of Colonel Warren and Incidents of the Pon-
toon Raid 457

An Incident of the Raid 460

The Lyon Scout 463

Sergeant Lyon's Last Ride 469

On the Lyon Scout 474

Arthur Peace Lyon 475

"Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead'' 481

Our Campaign Against Colonel Mead's Guerrillas 486

Our Last Campaign and Pursuit of Jeff Davis 492

6 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

PAGE.

With Gillem's Tennesseans on the Yadkin 520

With the First Battauon to Lynchburg 529

The Regiment at Hillsyille, Va., in April, 1865 533

A High-Priced Meal 536

"An Orderly Entrance Into Town'' 538

Capture of Third South Carolina Cavalry 541

Burning Bridge Over South Buffalo Creek 545

My Part in the Capture of the Third South Carolina

Cavalry 550

A Recruit Who Had Great Nerve 553

Company A at Sherrill's Ford, 1865 556

Carrying Dispatches on Our Last Raid 560

Carrying News of the Armistice Between Sherman

AND Johnston 564

The Capture of General Braxton Bragg 566

An Attempt to Capture Jeff Davis 569

Capture and Release of Major Garner at Jacksonville,

Ala 572

One of the Final Incidents of the War 574

A Scrap of Paper 575

A Race for Life 582

Getting Home from Athens, Ga 586

The "Fifteenth" at General Joe Johnston's Surrender 589

Our Regiment — in War and Peace 596

Plan of the Formation of the Anderson Troop 601

The Anderson Troop 605

Correspondence Relating to the Formation of the An-
derson Cavalry 622

Muster Roll of the "Anderson Troop" 624

Addenda 627

Chronological History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania

Cavalry 629

Telegrams from the Front 640

Official Reports 647

Letters of General Palmer 716

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, y^)?
Taps 785

PREFACE

IT is possible that this book should have been prepared and
published long ago, when the incidents described were fresh
in the memories of all ; but we were too busy then, and the
recollections of our war experiences were so vivid that it did
not seem they could ever fade. Even now, with forty years
intervening, to many the events are as clear and fresh as if it were
only yesterday the facts narrated in the following pages took place.
In the compilation of this work, the committee who had it in
charge have received active help from so many of the Regiment
tliat it is hardly proper to name any — the list would be too long.
In like manner those who have contributed the various articles
^v•hich tell the history from enlistment to muster out have been
assisted by those who took part in the events described. It is,
therefore, a regimental work. All of the most prominent articles
are verified by official documents, while old diaries and letters have
been ransacked to tell again the story they told long ago.

But, in a large sense, this book is not for those who made these
annals, but rather as an inheritance we leave our children, that
they may know, for all time, what Regiment their fathers served in
and the part they took in the greatest war of modern history.
Should this object be accomplished, the work done will be a suc-
cess.

Charles H. Kirk,
ist Lieut. Company E, i^th Penna. Cavalry,
Chairman of Historical Committee.

INTRODUCTION

Glen Eyrie, Colorado Springs, June i, 1905.

THESE annals of a Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment, which
served for the last three years of the Civil War, are
written by some of its surviving members, and edited by
one of its line officers, Lieutenant Kirk, to whose selection of
the contributors and subjects and weaving together of the "thread
of the narrative" the chief credit for this modest history is
due. There is included a brief account of the Anderson Troop
of Pennsylvania, which served under General Buell during the
first year of the war, and was the pioneer body whose success
led to the organization of the Regiment.

Having had the honor to raise and command both Troop and
Regiment, I have been asked to contribute some introductory
words. It should be stated that in the last year of the war, when
its activity was perhaps the greatest, the command of the Regi-
ment— then embraced in my brigade and division — devolved upon
a very able and successful officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles M.
Betts.

For the whole three years, with a few temporary exceptions, the
Regiment served as an independent command, under the direct
orders either of the Department Commander or of the General
commanding the cavalry of the army with which it was serving.
This naturally gave its officers and men an unusual opportunity
of knowing what was going on ; and, owing to their intelligence,
discipline and spirit, they were often entrusted with special and
delicate missions requiring tact, dash and courage.

As the Regiment campaigned actively in every Southern State
east of the Mississippi River (except Florida and Louisiana) and
also in Pennsylvania and Maryland, it may be supposed that, first
and last, it enjoyed rather an adventurous career.

Beginning with the Pennsylvania border, to which it was rushed,
while being organized, from Carlisle Barracks to harass and delay
the rebel invasion of 1862. and with the battle of Antietam which

9

lo History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

shortly followed, the Regiment was soon after sent to Kentucky to
join the army of the Cumberland, in all of whose subsequent cam-
paigns, first under Rosecrans and later under Geo. H. Thomas, it
participated to the close of the war. It has been observed how
completely the coils were drawn around the fated Southern army,
when at the time of the closing battle Sherman was in North Caro-
lina and forces from the Army of the Cumberland of Thomas high
up in Virginia. The latter, under General Stoneman, were repre-
sented in part by this Regiment, which had borne the most promi-
nent part in disabling the railroad connecting East Tennessee with
Richmond, and whose advanced battalion (under Major Wagner)
had, on April 8th, driven in the enemy's pickets at Lynchburg,
within about twenty miles of Lee's rear at Appomattox, when
on April 9, 1865, the final surrender of his army and of the
Southern Cause took place. The Regiment then followed south-
ward through the Carolinas, destroying the railroads and cutting
off the retreat of the scattered forces with the Cabinet and Gen-
erals from Richmond, many of whom it captured and paroled.
Having destroyed the railroad bridge ahead of it, and but barely
failing to intercept the train on which Jefferson Davis was retreat-
ing, the Regiment then followed in the pursuit of Davis and his
large cavalry escort supposed to be seeking union with the Confed-
erate forces of the trans-Mississippi for a prolongation of the
struggle. Following closely on their.heels, well down into Georgia,
it drove Davis and his escort into the successful cordon which
General Wilson had drawn across that State to intercept him.

These chronicles, written by men without pretence to any liter-
ary training, have the interest of coming from soldiers who were
part of what they describe. Forty years after the close of the
war, when from sixty to seventy years of age, these veterans
have turned aside for a moment from the current of their present
civil life to recall and, aided by reference to their war-time letters
and diaries, to set down, that it may be preserved for the edification
of their children and grandchildren and successors and for the en-
tertainment of their surviving comrades, this unambitious record of
their regimental experience. Written especially for the "inner cir-
cle" of family, friends and comrades, these familiar recollections of
camp, march and engagement make no appeal for recognition by
the general reader. Nevertheless they may contribute some mate-

Introduction. ii

rial of interest to the historian who hereafter seeks to recreate
with truth and vividness the hfe of these memorable years in one
of the decisive epochs of the world's history.

This Regiment, raised in the dark days of the war following
the defeat of Pope in Virginia, was composed of young men of
good character and physique, intelligence and spirit, carefully
selected from nearly every county in Pennsylvania, from several-
fold as many applicants. They were chiefly very young men —
boys in fact — of good breeding and education, usefully occupied
on railroads, farms, in law offices, stores and counting houses,
machine shops, etc., or but just out of school or college. They
had not felt strongly called upon to take the field as private sol-
diers during the first year of the war, when volunteers were in
excess of the demand and "acceptance" was a favor.

Enthusiasm was then unbounded and an early victory was the
general expectation. But now one disaster after another had made
it plain as noonday that the "putting down of the Rebellion" was
no holiday affair and that the nation's throat was in the grip of a
mortal enemy, with the issue in the gravest doubt.

It was at this time, and not long after the fruitless Corinth
campaign, that I was detached by General Buell and sent to Penn-
sylvania from Huntsville, Ala., where I was serving as Captain
with my troop, to raise, by consent of the Secretary of War, a bat-
talion of cavalry, which very soon, by reason of the unexpected
number of young men of the desired sort offering, developed into
a regiment of 1200 men.

They were among those who came forward in response to
President Lincoln's call for "300,000 more." The life of the
nation was at stake and they felt that their own lives would cease
to have interest or justification should their country be rent
asunder. The recruits for this Regiment came almost without
solicitation, and without a single promise of office, commissioned
or non-commissioned, directly or indirectly. Every man enlisted,
as the men of "the Troop" had done before them, as a private
soldier, either heedless of office or trusting to future demonstra-
tion of fitness for command. It can, I think, be truthfully said
that before the war closed but few of them were not competent to
be officers, and many served as such with this and other regi-
ments. Of the three years' experience which followed their enlist-

12 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

ment and drilling at Carlisle Barracks, or at least of the salient
features of that experience, the story is told by themselves in
the pages which follow. That they served with usefulness and dis-
tinction is borne independent testimony to by their common repute
in the Army of the Cumberland and by the reports of Gen. Geo. H.
Thomas and other Commanders.

Since the close of the war, with few exceptions, they or their
survivors have borne an honorable record in civil life. Among
them are now found, or have been, judges, merchants, engineers,
bankers, presidents and treasurers, lawyers, railroad officers, minis-
ters, locomotive builders and citizens well known in many other
useful and honorable pursuits. One of our First Sergeants, Wil-
mon W. Blackmar, of Company K, was elected Commander-in-
Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic at the National Encamp-
ment held in 1904. Although most of the survivors continue to
live in Pennsylvania, there are many scattered throughout the
Union from the Atlantic shore to the Pacific. Sixteen were at
one time assisting me in railway building in Colorado.

Perhaps to an exceptional degree the officers and men have kept
up since the war their regimental associations — the surviving
"comrades" meeting at a yearly banquet to exchange greetings,
renew old memories and "fight their battles o'er again."

I feel sure that no war of aggression or for the spread of empire
would have drawn these young men from their homes. It was a
great and pure cause for which they fought, and if war is ever
justifiable, their consciences are clear that this one was so. That
I am proud to have commanded and to have since retained the
respect and confidence of such a body of men goes without saying.

Wm. J. Palmer.

HISTORY

Fifteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer
Cavalry

THE INCEPTION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE
REGIMENT.

FIRST LIEUT. JOHN F, CONAWAY^ CO. B^ PHILADELPHIA.

THE Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry was conceived shortly
after the Battle of Shiloh (April, 1862) where General
Buell, after the hardest fighting that had perhaps so far oc-
curred in the War of the Rebellion, drove the enemy from the
field and converted the crushing defeat of the previous day into a
victory.

Some two months later,, at Huntsville, Alabama, realizing what
even a comparatively small body of properly trained and led young
cavalrymen of spirit and intelligence could do in serving as ears
and eyes for the commanding General, as well as in deinoralizing
a retreating enemy by a bold charge at the right moment. General
Buell sent for Capt. Wm. J. Palmer, then commanding his es-
cort, the Anderson Troop, and asked if he could raise in Pennsvl-
vania enough more of the same class of young men to increase his
company to a battalion. Captain Palmer at once responded that
he could, and urged to be allowed the opportunity.

General Buell, accordingly, in July, 1862, obtained permission
from the War Department for Captain Palmer to enlist a battalion
of 400 men for special service, and a detail was at once sent to
Pennsylvania from the "Troop" for that purpose. Recruiting

13

14 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

offices were opened in Philadelphia, Pittsburg and other parts of
the State early in August, 1862, and in a few days the 400 men,
allowed by the War Department, were enlisted.

Captain Palmer saw at once that a full regiment of ten or
twelve companies could easily be enrolled, and asked permission
to increase the enlistment, which the War Department, at the re-
quest of General Buell, granted. The result was that a regiment
of 1200 men was very quickly secured. A large majority joined
within ten days after August 10, 1862. They represented over
thirty counties in the State, the larger numbers coming from
Philadelphia and Allegheny, and a splendid body of young men
they were.

The quickness in securing the required number of this quality
of men was phenomenal. There were more than forty regiments
of Pennsylvania infantry and cavalry mustered into service in
August, 1862. Most of these regiments had been recruiting
and in process of formation for a long time ; the Fifteenth Penn-
sylvania Cavalry, however, was recruited and assembled at Car-
lisle, Pa., for organization and muster, in less than two weeks
from the time the recruiting stations were opened.

These young men were actuated chiefly by sincere patriotic
motives — they wanted to do something to suppress the rebellion
and to preserve the life of the nation. That they were attracted
by the promise of special service there can be no question
although they m.ay not have stopped to consider that special ser-
vice meant specially arduous and dangerous service.

Probably one reason why the Regiment was formed so
quickly was because it was not so easy a matter to join the Ander-
son Cavalry. Special care was taken to obtain a select body of
young men. Applicants were required to have a good moral
character and to furnish letters of recommendation from men of
standing in the respective counties, and to pass a severe physical
examination. In addition, the recruiting officers from the Ander-
son Troop were stationed throughout the State at their home
towns, and naturally drew recruits from the circles in which they
moved themselves. The result was the formation of a regiment
of as intelligent, active and high-spirited young men as could be
found anywhere in the country. Every man was enlisted as a pri-
vate and without promise of office of any kind. Clothed in a neat-

The Inception and Organization of the Regiment. 15

fitting and handsome uniform, the members of the Regiment pre-
sented an attractive appearance and, excepting training and ex-
perience, possessed all the requisites of the ideal cavalry soldier.

As the men were enlisted they were sent off to Carlisle in
small and larger bodies and went into camp on ground adjacent
to the U. S. Cavalry barracks near that town. The camp was
named "Camp Alabama," and to most of us there was something
very significant in that name. Alabama at that time was to our
youthful minds far doivn South, and little did we then think that
nearly three years of great hardship and danger were before us and
that many skirmishes and battles would have to be fought ere we
could make our final halt at Huntsville preparatory to our happy
march to Nashville to be mustered out of the service — the war
being over.

On August 22, 1862, the regiment was paraded and mustered
into the U. S. Service by Capt. D. H. Hastings for three years
or during the war. The drill was started at once, the old regular
sergeants of the barracks being the chief drill-masters and some
progress was made in perfecting the details of the organization,
when an interruption occurred. Lee had invaded Maryland and
was threatening Pennsylvania and on September 9th and nth two
large detachments were hastily sent to the border and "Antietam"
to do what they could to repel him. They performed the duty as-
signed to them better than, at the time, they thought they did — ^the
great misfortune being that they were compelled, after the battle
of Antietam, to return to their camp at Carlisle without their com-
mander, and thus, unfortunately, before he had selected any offi-
cers for the Regiment, which then left for the Arm.y of the Cum-
berland, comparatively unofficered.

After these many years it must be a source of much gratifica-
tion to every survivor to look back to those early davs and recall
that, with all the disappointments and troubles of the time, the
boys of the Regiment (the average age was probably not over
twenty years) remained faithful and anxious for duty, and although
some of them, when the real test came at Nashville, at first refused
to move, bringing some confusion to our ranks, it was not disloy-
alty or cowardice — they wanted a leader, such as he who, having
escaped from captivity, stood before us early in February, 1863, at
our rude camp on the outskirts of Nashville, and said to those

i6 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

drawn up in line there: "I was determined I would not appear
before you until I could look every man of you in the face and say
to you — 'this Regiment will be re-organized." And so we were or-
ganized at Carlisle and re-organized at Murfreesboro, and after
nearly three-}-ears' service, we returned to our homes and took up
the cares and duties of civil life, and forty years after, those of us
v/ho survive, are meeting year after year to "fight our battles o'er
again" and still keep up our organization.

REMINISCENCES OF THE EARLY DAYS
OF THE ANDERSON CAVALRY.

NEWTON, COMPANY F, JULLUNDUR CITY, NORTH INDIA.

IN August, 1862, a group of students, including myself, in
Washington College, Pa., were discussing the war and Presi-
dent Lincoln's recent call for 300,000 more volunteers, when
one of the number, Sam. McFarren, mentioned that a crack
Regiment was being raised to be General Buell's bodyguard, and
proposed that we go into it.

Our patriotism was already at a white heat and the suggestion
was adopted with enthusiasm.

As soon as arrangements could be made, we secured a spring
wagon and drove over to Pittsburg, twenty-eight miles distant,
where we enlisted in Company F.

There were eight of us, namely: Robert Brownlee, David
Clark, Edward Cornes, M. L. Hill, A. P. Howard, S. J. McFarren,
J. H. Sharpe and myself.

We were soon after sent to Carlisle, where we joined the Regi-
ment, and spent some weeks in being drilled by the Sergeants of
the regular army stationed there.

At the time of Lee's invasion of Maryland, in September, the
Regiment was hurried down to the front, gathering up our equip-
ment of horses on the way.

At Chambersburg I was detailed on orderly duty at headquar-
ters, and served in this capacity for three days, which proved
advantageous to me in two ways. First, I had my pick out of
some hundreds of horses and secured a fine animal, which did me
a good turn when we had our baptism of fire at Antietam. The
second advantage was the opportunity afforded me of seeing a
fine sight, namely, the gathering of the Pennsylvania clans at the
special call of Governor Curtin. Besides the many stalwart regi-
ments furnished by the State for the regular volunteer army, the
attempted invasion of the North by the rebel army stimulated the

1 8 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Governor to an extra effort, and 50,000 emergency men responded
to his call. Camps were established for the enrollment and organi-
zation of these men, and one of these, Camp McClure, was situated
near Chambersburg. While I was acting as orderly, it became my
duty to carry dispatches to Camp McClure several times, and there
I saw what thrilled me with patriotic fervor. The town of Wash-
ington, Pa., where I had been attending college, had sent its best
citizens, and here I saw many whom I had known personally —
lawyers, doctors and ministers, as well as business men. There
was Dr. Scott, the President of Washington College, a man of
magnificent proportions — six feet six, I should judge. He was a
Corporal, and for uniform wore a stout leather belt over his black
clerical coat.

I must confess there was enough human nature in me to give
me an exalted sense of military distinction when I rode into the
midst of these men on my fine war horse, with jingling saber and
the handsome navy blue and orange braid special uniform of the
Anderson Cavalry.

One of my stirring memories of that journey down the Cum-
berland Valley is of a scene worth remembering. When General
Miles surrendered to the rebels at Harper's Ferry, a gallant band
of Union cavalry refused to yield, and cut their way out. Journey-
ing northward, they came across a long wagon train loaded with
supplies for Longstreet's corps of Lee's army. The train — con-
sisting, so far as I recollect, of some seventy wagons — they captured
together with its escort, and brought them along. I saw the dusty
procession marching into Greencastle, and had the honor of being
placed, loaded revolver in hand, on the hind step of an omnibus,
to stand guard over the rebel prisoners of that escort, whom I
conducted to the town jail. I felt almost as proud as if I had
captured that wagon train myself.

Our Regiment was forwarded to the front, in a number of
separate detachments, and there engaged in different duties, sucli
as scouting, guarding batteries and the like. It was seen in so
many parts of the field, and so ubiquitous were its operations that
the impression was created that the Anderson Cavalry was a body
10,000 strong, as I heard it stated by some of the country people
at that time. On Friday, which must have been the 17th or i8th
of September, it fell to my lot to go on a scouting expedition in a

Early Days of the Anderson Cavalry. 19

squad of twenty, under a Lieutenant, who, I think, belonged to a
Philadelphia company. We left Hagerstown early in the morn-
ing, and, after pursuing many devious paths, without adventure
(although we heard the booming of heavy guns and met long
trains of ambulances bringing in the wounded), we struck the
Hagerstown-Willamsport turnpike, about midway between the
two towns, somewhat late in the afternoon.

Proceeding toward Williamsport, we encountered a small force
of Confederate cavalry, and exchanged shots with them until they
retired. Five of us were then placed in a field to watch some
woods for the enemy, while the remaining sixteen advanced fur-
ther down the road. In half an hour or so we heard firing and
the clatter of hoofs down the road, and the sixteen came back at
full gallop, with no less than 200 or 250 rebel cavalry in hot pur-
suit. They called on us to "fall in," and we promptly acted on
the suggestion. Here my swift horse did me a good turn and
fairly flew up a long, gentle slope to a tollgate, where we found
one of our infantry picket posts. Here we halted and faced about
in ranks across the road, while the infantry, a company of the
Gray Reserves of Philadelphia, lying in the field behind the fence,
opened fire on the rebel cavalry. On this they also halted and ex-
changed volleys with us until it became quite dark.

After some time the Captain of the infantry company ordered
our Lieutenant to send a couple of his men down the road in order
to ascertain what had become of the enemy. The Lieutenant de-
murred, saying the infantry could better perform this service, as
they could quietly creep along the side of the road unobserved and
that it was the place of infantrymen to do advanced vidette duty.
To this the Captain replied that it was .safer for cavalry, as they
were "high up out of range." He further insisted that he, being a
Captain, and therefore outranking our Lieutenant, had a right to
command. I listened with much interest to the discussion of this
important question, and although inclined to think our champion
had the best of the argument, nevertheless, when either from con-
viction or necessity he yielded the point, and ordered two of us to
advance and investigate, I felt flattered at his selecting me as
one of the two. We rode down a considerable distance in the
thick darkness and were able to return and report that the enemy
had withdrawn.

20 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

About midnight the Captain withdrew the whole picket from the
tollgate and took up a position at a crossroads a quarter of a mile
to the rear. There was no reason for this that I know of, except
that we had heard two or three shots fired far away on our left
flank. But the retirement was hasty and partook somewhat of the
nature of a panic, as will appear further on.

Shortly after I was sent back toward Hagerstown with a mes-
sage from the Captain to the Colonel of his regiment, requesting
him to send another company to relieve the one on duty there.
I was surprised on going back on this errand to find an army of
15,000 men drawn up in three lines of battle at right angles to the
road, under the command of General Reynolds. As our scouting
party had come by roundabout country roads, we had no knowl-
edge of this large force on the turnpike. It was a grand and
inspiring sight, as the men sat or reclined around their bivouac
fires in these three great lines. It was reported that Lee was
expected to make an attack on Hagerstown and this force was
drawn up to repel the attack.

Having searched in vain for my Captain's Colonel, I returned to
the picket post and reported accordingly; then lying down at
the side of the road with my horse, we both succeeded in getting
a little rest.

At daybreak a quiet-looking gentleman in black came riding out,
and stopping, asked "Who is the Commander of this post?" The
Captain replied somewhat pompously that he was the Commander
of the post. The stranger, in language very emphatic but not

altogether polite, asked him why the he had fallen back from

the tollgate. The Captain did not seem to like the stranger's
manner of speaking, and asked him who he was. "I am General
Reynolds," said the gentleman in black; and being thus enlight-
ened, the Captain stammered out an apology and explained that
we were in danger of being outflanked by the enemy and had
retired as a precautionary measure. General Reynolds thereupon
peremptorily ordered him to go back to the tollgate, and back we
went, the cavalry, as a further precautionary measure, in advance.

Arriving at the tollgate, we found the field strewn with haver-
sacks, canteens and overcoats, showing the hasty nature of the
retreat ; thereupon we looked into some of the haversacks and
found them well stocked with bologna sausages and other good

Early Days of the Anderson Cavalry. 21

things fresh from home. We were glad the enemy had not out-
flanked the sausages, and annexed them ourselves, being almost
starved, with hard work and no food for twenty-four hours past.

Our little force of twenty-one was soon after allowed to retire
to Hagerstown, but as we marched toward the town I was much
excited by meeting General Reynolds' little army advancing with
their artillery, in the direction of Williamsport. They planted a
battery at our tollgate on high ground, commanding a view almost
to Williamsport, where Lee's whole army was then concentrating
in its retreat by the ford at that point across the Potomac. The
fact that the enemy was in full retreat was not known to us at the
time, and we supposed the expected attack on Hagerstown was
about to begin.

Soon we met a large column of our own Anderson Cavalry,
probably several hundred in number, though I never knew how
many there were, and my enthusiasm knew no bounds. The
Regiment was all broken up into fragments during the whole of
that Antietam campaign, and I had no idea where my own Com-
pany was, so I broke abruptly from the little squad of twenty-one,
and, wheeling around, fell in with the column mentioned. Pro-
ceeding to the tollgate once more, we were drawn up in double
rank on the slope below and in front of our battery, which fired
over our heads at the enemy now visible in the distance, and
shelled a piece of woods somewhat to the left of the front, the same
we had been exploring the day before. The first fire of our battery
seemed to go wild, and endangered some of our own men who had
taken a position in advance of our post. I heard that some rebel
sympathizers at Hagerstown had tampered with our guns, but,
however this may have been, the error was soon rectified, and we
could hear our shells crashing through the treetops and bursting
all right.

Meanwhile the rebels had brought up a battery and their shells
were soon hurtling past and over us, together with their humming
minie balls. Our infantry lines were extended far to the right
and left, firing from behind the stone walls, which were the usual
fences of the farms in that region. There were also some post-
and-rail fences along the road in our immediate front, and some
of our Regiment were detailed to knock them down in order to
give the cavalry free play.

22 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

All this was very impressive to a new hand, like myself, but it
came to a climax when we were ordered to advance down the
turnpike and charge the Confederate battery. My position was in
the front rank, on the right, and when we wheeled by fours to the
right to form into a marching column I was, of course, at the head
of the column.

Well do I remember, as if it had been but yesterday instead of
forty-two years ago, the crowding emotions which tingled within
me as we marched down the road on that dangerous duty. It was
a strange, complex feeling, compounded of physical fear plus men-
tal and moral exaltation.

General Lee did not make his attack after all; it was only a
feint to cover the retreat of his shattered army into Virginia.

The firing gradually died away, and this was about the last of
the great battle of Antietam.

We all soon returned to Carlisle, and were subsequently sent
by rail, via Pittsburg and Indianapolis, to Louisville, Ky., and were
there again supplied with horses and thence marched to Nash-
ville, Tenn., to join the Army of the Cumberland, under General
Rosecrans. I do not know what had become of the idea of our
being made General Buell's bodyguard. It seems to have evapo-
rated by this time.

I felt, after reaching Nashville, that we were a rather forlorn
set of orphans, for our gallant Colonel had mysteriously disap-
peared at Antietam, having been taken prisoner. Nevertheless,
our spirits up to this time at least were irrepressible. I remember
that some of our boys made a part of the railroad journey seated
on the cowcatcher of the locomotive, and seemed to enjoy it. I
was not myself in this party of cow (catcher) boys, but still feel
rather proud of having, with my messmate, John Henry Sharpe,
made myself a kind of informal member of the Legislature of
Indiana and having even occupied the Speaker's chair in the
Senate Chamber. The incident may be worth relating as a further
illustration of the superabundant energy and spirits of the Fif-
teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

At Indianapolis, having learned that the Regiment was
to. stay at the Soldier's Home till morning and perhaps all
the next day, too. I was determined to embrace the oppor-
tunity of calling on a gentleman whose sister, Mrs. Porter, I had

Early Days of the Aiiderson Cavalry. 23

known when a boy in India. This gentleman was Dr. Theophilus
Parvin, then a practicing physician in Indianapolis and afterward
a protessor in the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. I
did not know him personally, and probably he had never heard of
me. But such considerations were nothing, and I proposed to my
old chum, Sharpe, that he should go with me. He was too ready
for anything in the shape of an adventure, and the moment our
train stopped we two skipped out before the usual guards could
be stationed around to prevent straggling. Going to a hotel nearby
we looked into a directory to find the doctor's address, and then
begged a candle-end from some of the darkey servants, who also
pointed out the street we wished to reach. Arriving there, we lit
our candle and followed the numbers on the doors until we struck
Dr. Parvin's house. Ringing the bell we were admitted by the
doctor himself, and, after explaining the circumstances, he con-
ducted us, with amazing good nature, seeing it was i o'clock a.m.,
into his parlor. We had a pleasant visit and received a cordial
invitation to take dinner with the doctor the next day, when he said
he would be pleased to introduce us to his wife. This we promised
to do in case the Regiment remained in town throughout the day.
Proceeding then through the best streets, we viewed the city
and its architecture, and somewhere near 3 a.m. came across the
State House. A watchman was pacing up and down in front of
the building, which stood back a little distance from the street,
with an iron railing in front and a gate standing open. Waiting
in a shadow until the watchman had passed the entrance and had
his back to us, we quietly slipped in unobserved. A long corridor
led us to the center of the building, and there, in a hall running
crosswise, we discovered a stairway, which we ascended. Upstairs
we found a door which was not locked, and this admitted us to
the Senate Chamber. We lit the gas and then proceeded to hold
a session of the Legislature. I took the Speaker's chair, while
Sharpe made a speech on the conduct of the war. After this he
took the chair and I made a speech. We passed a unanimous
resolution to stand by the Government in prosecuting the war
vigorously, and we decided also "to hang Jeff Davis on a sour
apple tree." After sufficiently enjoying ourselves in our new
role as Senators, we adjourned sine die and slipped out to the
street, behind the watchman, as we had entered.

24 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Daylight soon appeared and we inquired our way to the Sol-
diers' Home, where we arrived in time to partake of the break-
fast furnished by that institution.

The Regiment remained in Indianapolis that day and we got
our dinner at the good doctor's, although we had to do some first-
class running to get away from the officious sentinels at the Home.
After a royal repast and most cordial entertainment by Dr. and
Mrs. Parvin, we again inspected the town and visited a large
asylum for the blind, in the outskirts. Here the superintendent
received us courteously, and until he could dispose of some urgent
business and find time to show us around, left us for an hour to
the kindly care of his daughter, a young lady who gracefully ful-
filled her trust by playing for us on the piano and singing like a
seraph. The doctor, her father, then came and showed us every-
thing of interest in the asylum, and, from a lofty tower sur-
mounting the building, gave us a splendid panoramic view of the
city.

Three times during that day we were pursued by squads of
twenty to thirty men from our Regiment, patrolling the streets to
arrest stragglers, but we escaped their malice each time, for our
motto was "no surrender."

On the march from Louisville to Nashville, in December, it was
reported that the notorious guerrilla chief, John Morgan, with his
band of marauders, was encamped at a town thirty miles distant
from us, and several companies, including my own, made a night
march, in freezing weather, to surprise him. We reached our
destination at 6 a.m. and dashed into the town at a gallop, but only
to learn that Morgan had left for parts unknown the evening
before.

Returning by another route, we marched all day, were over-
taken by darkness and lost ourselves in the woods. However, we
straggled back to cam.p about midnight, after fording a river,
having ridden some sixty miles. I have a distinct recollection of
many other incidents of the journey to Nashville — such as camping
at the Lost River cave, and at another place being compelled to
strike our tents just after they had been pitched in a clean, grassy
orchard and march a couple of miles further through a furious
rain storm and pitch again in a field of deep mud, where it was
necessary to cut brush from a neighboring wood and pile it three

Early Days of the Anderson Cavalry. 25

feet high in our tents to sleep on. No sooner had we arranged
ourselves for the night than an order came for Companies E and F
to saddle up and go out into the inky night and pouring rain on a
scouting expedition. But even misery was pleasure in those ardent
days, and I positively enjoyed lying on the roadside and sleeping
all night in a driving rain, while at Nashville, on one occasion,
vvhen the pickets refused to let me pass out through the lines to
our camp. Such instances of privation made me feel that I was a
soldier, and it was ample satisfaction for everything that I be-
longed to the Anderson Cavalry. Ah ! that esprit du corps was a
powerful thing and a grand thing, too.

Another incident very clearly stamped on my memory was an at-
tempt made by a few hundred of us, under the leadership of an
officer (who I think was an infantry Captain), to go out from our
old camp at Nashville to Murfreesboro. We got almost as far as
Lavergne, eighteen miles out, when we ran against a rather
memorable circumstance, which put a stop to our progress. There
were probably 300 or 400 of us (although I speak somewhat at
random when it comes to numbers). Lavergne is a straggling
village running along the turnpike and situated in a broad, level
valley. Our approach to it lay over a low ridge, so it was not
visible until we reached the top of the ridge, when the whole valley
and the village opened up before us like a panorama. Near the
summit, on the Nashville side, there was a house, and as our
column was passing this house, an old gray-headed negro, with
snowy wool flying about his ears, came running out and urged us,
with frantic gesticulation, to stop. "Stop, gentlemen, stop ! for
God's sake go back !" he cried. "Why, what is the matter?" some-
one asked. "General Wheeler is just ahead, with 2500 cavalry
and a battery of guns," he replied, and he again begged us to go
back. However, we proceeded a little further and came upon a
couple of Confederate officers sitting at the roadside eating their
lunch, with their horses tied to the fence. This apparition became
a dissolving view as they jumped over the fence and disappeared in
the woods, leaving their horses and their lunch for us to take as the
spoils of war. A few steps more brought us to the crest of the
ridge, and then we saw at a glance that the old negro had told the
truth. Lavergne lay in full view, perhaps half a mile distant.
Wheeler's brigade was there, burning up a long line of wagons.

26 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

which we learned belonged to Davis' division of Rosecrans" army,
and the Union troops that had formed its escort had been cap-
tured, disarmed and paroled, and at the moment of our arrival
came running past our column, in the direction of Nashville. We
asked them why they were in such a hurry, and they replied that
General Wheeler had a battery which was about to open on us,
and they wanted to get out of the way. The scene was an im-
pressive one, and most picturesque, with its blazing wagon train ;
but when our commanding officer (the only officer we had) ordered
a retreat, without our firing a shot, it awakened bitter feelings.
What had become of the esprit du corps and the irrepressible
spirit of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry ? We were no longer
a regiment, but a disorganized mob, and the only man who could
have made us once more a credit to ourselves and to our country
was chafing like a caged lion in a Richmond prison.

I haven't the slightest doubt that, under the circumstances, the
best thing — in fact, the only thing — we could do was to retreat. It
would have been madness to attack such a force as Wheeler's
brigade with our inferior numbers and in our disorganized con-
dition.

Shortly after our return to Nashville we heard rumors of a
great battle, the battle of Stone River.

There were twenty of us who were already sick enough of our
inglorious life in camp — or I should say, rather, of our state of
suspended animation — when reports of the battle being waged at
that very moment moved us to action. We saddled our horses and
marched into the city to the headquarters of the Commandant,
and asked that we might be sent at once to rejoin those of our
Comrades who had gone to the front at an earlier date. Our
request was taken into consideration, and it was decided that being
so few in number it was not worth while to send us to Murfrees-
boro at present, and we were attached to headquarters for orderly
and military police duty. Quarters were assigned us in a gym-
nasium, and we were present on duty, off and on, at the office for
some weeks following.

When off duty I used to go about Nashville to see the place, and
once or twice visited our boys in a building or shed which they
called the Smoke House.

Again I found a firm of wholesale merchants of the name of

Early Days of the Anderson Cavalry. 27

McClung, who were related to a former very good friend and
classmate of mine at Lawrenceville, N. J., before the war. Hugh
L. McClung was his name, and his home was in Knoxville, Tenn.
The Nashville merchants told me, in reply to my inquiries, that
Hugh had become a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Confederate army,
and had been killed while fighting under Zollicofifer in the battle
of Mill Springs. They upbraided me bitterly for joining the horde
of ruthless invaders of their country and did not invite me to call
again or dine with them.

Still again I attended church one Sunday and there, before the
service began, met a very handsome young lady from Paducah,
Ky., with whom I had become acquainted in Steubenville, Ohio.
She did not recognize me, however, and gave me — or perhaps it
was my uniform — such a withering glance of scorn that I treated
her as I had Wheeler and his brigade — turned my back on her and
retreated.

I noticed in those days (and subsequent observation has con-
firmed the opinion) that the people of the North and the people
of the South looked upon each other in totally different ways.
Taking my own feelings as a fair criterion, I never felt the per-
sonal rancor or hostility they seemed to entertain for us. My
leading thought, when I entered the army, was that our country
fimst be saved from disruption, with destruction as its logical con-
sequence; and I think this was the predominant feeling in the
North. It rather puzzled and somewhat amused me to hear our
Southern friends speak of our invading their country, for 1
thought it was our country as much as theirs.

Before closing this narrative, I must relate one or two experi-
ences when on duty. I was ordered one night to accompany the
officer of the day, a Major in an Illinois regiment, on his round of
inspecting the pickets outside of Nashville. We went clear around
in a semicircle from the river above the city to the river below the
city, and it was quite an arduous journey in the dark night. I
started out gaily enough, riding alongside of my Major, until he
informed me that an orderly ought to follow his superior officer.
I promptly fell back and brought up the rear of the procession.
Before we had got through the night's work, however, the Major
got to feeling lonely, and gradually edging back alongside, he
ended by forgetting I was his orderly and he my officer. That

28 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

night I learned something about mihtary discipline as observed in
our arm}' which astonished me. It is impossible to recall all our
experiences, but at one of the picket posts we found all our men
comfortably squatting around a big fire, the weather being very
cold, while their arms were stacked some way off on one side. The
Major scolded them in a mild way and told them to keep a sharp
lookout, as we were expecting an attack from the enemy. In a
number of instances there was the same carelessness, while in one
the whole post was sound asleep around their fire. Here the
officer, after waking them up, asked a number of questions. "Who
is the Post Commander in Nashville? How many men in the
garrison? How many guns in position?" etc. They answered
his questions to the best of their ability, without a particle of
hesitation, and when he proceeded to upbraid them for too reck-
lessly giving away information which might be of use to the
enemy, they smiled complacently and said they knew he was all
right, he was the officer of the day, etc.

The following will serve as an illustration of our duty as mili-
tary police : A gentleman living some six or eight miles out of
Nashville became an object of suspicion to the authorities. It
was suspected that he was in the habit of taking over the arms
and accouterments of Union soldiers who wished to desert, or at
least shirk their duties, and giving them paroles which they brought
in and presented at headquarters, pretending that they had been
captured by some wandering force of the enemy. This gave them
a vacation from active service and kept them in idleness until they
could be regularly exchanged. In order to test the matter, the
Commandant, who, I think, was General Mitchell, sent a spy to
this gentleman's house to deliver himself up as a prisoner and get
his parole. He went and surrendered himself with his arms and
horse, got his parole and then came back and reported. He had
also learned that a couple of Confederate officers were expected at
this house on a certain night. A squad of eight of us were sent
on the night named to capture the rebel officers in case they turned
up, and also to arrest the proprietor of the mansion and to search
the premises for arms and other United States property. We
took a covered wagon along for the prisoners and the property.
It was a dark night and raining steadily. On arrival we sur-
rounded the house, while the leader with the spy and one or two

Early Days of the Anderson Caz'olry. 29

others went in. The man of the house was found, but the rebel
ofificers had not come, and so they missed the party. The rest of
us, who had been stationed at the various doors and windows, were
now called into the house to aid in the search operations. The lady
of the house was very indignant at our intrusion and called us
many bad names, such as Yankee thieves and robbers. When
candles were lighted to search the house from cellar to garret,
she said she would go with us, as she could not trust us out of her
sight— we would be sure to steal something. We found in the
house and barn a number of McClellan saddles and bridles, as well
as United States horses and army tents and arms of all sorts. We
loaded up our wagon with such of these articles as we could get
into it and seated our host inside, with a couple of men to take care
of him, and then took our places around and in the rear. The
prisoner's wife had never for a moment ceased scolding, although
her husband every now and then told her to be quiet, and as the
wagon began to move she exclaimed, "I wish all the Yankees had
one neck and I could see it cut off before my eyes." I sat on my
horse not far from her, and moving nearer said, in a low voice,
"My dear madam, you surely do not mean what you say. Now,
honestly, would you really like to see my throat cut right before
your eyes ?'' 'T don't know that I would," she replied ; "you may
be a gentleman, but I'm sure the Yankees, as a rule, are not."
"Thank you very much for being so considerate," I said. "Good-
night, madam." We proceeded to Nashville, where our friend was
placed in secure lodgings. I never heard of him again, but pre-
sume he was not allowed to carry on his old tactics any longer.

Soon after this incident I was struck down with typhoid fever,
placed in a hospital and eventually rescued from almost certain
death by Rev. Messrs. McCauley and Scott, of Philadelphia,
agents of the Christian Commission, who procured my discharge
on a medical certificate. Mr. Scott conveyed me to my friends in
the North. I recovered after a severe illness of two months' dura-
tion, and feel thankful that I am to-day alive to tell the tale. But
it has always been a matter of regret to me that I missed the
glorious active da^'S of the Anderson Cavalry after Colonel Palmer
rejoined and reorganized the Regiment.

ANTIETAM.

FRED. J. ANSPACH, COMPANY D, PHILADELPHIA.

TO a military critic the Anderson Cavalry, Fifteenth Penn-
sylvania, at Carlisle, Pa., was in no condition to enter on an
active campaign when on September 9, 1862, orders were
received for the Regiment to move south and do what they could to
oppose the invasion of their State by Lee's army. We had not been
three weeks in the United States volunteer service, and the major-
ity of the 900 men in camp had not yet received uniforms. We had
no commissioned officers ; Captain Palmer, who commanded
the Anderson Troop, then serving with the Army of the Cumber-
land, was the only man who held a commission, and even his was
not in our Regiment, although he had raised it and was addressed
as Colonel Palmer. It was a period of temporary arrangements.
The non-com.missioned officers and privates of the old Troop who
visited us were temporarily assigned to the different companies
as temporary officers. Even the non-commissioned officers in the
companies were temporary, and were what is described in army
parlance as "lance" officers. The selection of permanent officers
and non-commissioned officers was to be made by Colonel Palmer
after becoming better acquainted with the men — ^before leaving
for the western theater of war. No man had been promised any
office.

In the matter of arms we had already received our sabers, and
the drill Sergeants from the regulars at the barracks had initiated
us into the mysteries of cut and parry. The marching drill came
naturally to us, as it does to all youngsters in war times, and the
non-commissioned officers had been put through a special course
of study in learning how to saddle and bridle a horse properly and
then ride him with crossed stirrups. But our lack of efficiency
in military trappings was more than made up by the earnestness
and zeal with which each one carried on the campaign and his
anxiety to do something worthy of a soldier. The first call was
30

Antietam. 31

for a detail of about 200 men who "knew how to ride a horse,"
and a busy afternoon was spent in providing uniforms and boots
for those who had not yet received them. It was late at night, and
when drawn up in front of the officers' quarters, that revolvers
and ammunition were issued, with the orders to load them.

About midnight we took the cars in the town, and three hours
after rolled into Greencastle, and, after getting a little sleep in the
warehouse alongside of the railway track, were most bountifully
fed by the citizens when, at daylight, our presence became known
to them. Orders were issued to go out into the country and im-
press horses, saddles and bridles from the farmers and give re-
ceipts for them. By early afternoon the majority of the Green-
castle detachment was mounted, and at once began a tour of duty
in the field. About dark Colonel Palmer took the mounted men
and started for Hagerstown. He placed them on picket on all
the roads leading into that town, and with two others, John W.
Jackson and David Barnhart, went ahead scouting to find the
whereabouts of the rebels.

They passed through Hagerstown and about two miles beyond,
where they entered the farmhouse of Wm. T. Beeler, Barnhart
was then sent back alone, carrying the uniforms of Colonel Palmer
and Jackson, and soon after the latter started for Hagerstown,
leaving the Colonel alone. Before morning the rebel force arrived,
and their cavalry encamped on the farm where Palmer was stop-
ping. Later in the day two regiments of their infantry, and a sec-
tion of artillery with twenty-five wagons, passed the farm on their
way to Hagerstown. Colonel Palmer mingled freely with the rebel
soldiers, and took supper with their officers at Beekr's table and
obtained much information. Along in the afternoon both Palmer
and Beeler got the information from different sources that this
force had received orders to move into Pennsylvania, the march
to commence between midnight and 2 a.m. This information was
of such importance that the Colonel realized the necessity of at
once starting for our lines, but the guards around the place hin-
dered his starting until darkness had set in and eliminated some
of the dangers of the trip. To the kindness and loyalty of Mr.
Beeler, his son and the rest, of the family Colonel Palmer owes his
escape, for in the night Mr. Beeler guided him through his corn
field to the highway, and then gave him careful directions for the

32 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

following ten miles — how to avoid the rebel pickets and to reach
the Pennsylvania State line. He also directed him to another
Union man, about ten miles north of his farm, which place he
reached after midnight, and this man hitched up at once and drove
him to our lines, so that at 4 o'clock, on the morning of the 12th,
Palmer was telegraphing to Colonel McClure, at Chambersburg,
the situation in and around Hagerstown.

It is hard to give in detail what these 200 men did in the next
four days. They were continually on duty, either picketing or
scouting, and by the activity of their movements covered such a
large territory as to give the rebels in Hagerstown the impres-
sion that the force in front of them amounted to thousands. The
enemy's scouts sent out returned with the message that the "Yan-
kees were as thick as grasshoppers on the State line," and threats
were made that "they would hang any of the Anderson guerrillas
they caught." It seems incredible what a small force, ignorant
of the methods of war, accomplished; and later, when we had
learned the full duties of a soldier, it would hardly have been
possible to have carried on such a' campaign. The approach of
two hostile forces toward each other is governed by well-known
rules of warfare, and the Commander of each can fairly judge of
the intentions of the other by the character of the approach. First
comes the advance or a skirmish line, followed at regulation dis-
tance by the reserve, and this by the line of battle. We did nothing
of the kind. Very frequently all we had were our advanced pickets,
and no reserve nearer than Chambersburg — twenty miles away.
What added to the confusion in the rebels' minds as to our num-
bers was the curiosity of our boys to see what the rebels looked
like and to have their advance pickets fire a long but not dangerous
shot at us. During the day some of these small scouting parties
were sure to be approaching the rebel lines, not from any orders
received to do so, but led by curiosity and the absence of orders.
As viewed from the rebel position in Hagerstown, each one of
these parties was only the advance of a much greater force behind,
and the estimate they made of "ten thousand Andersons" did not
seem to them to be amiss. A bold advance on their part would
have dispelled this illusion, and they did make a few dashes at
our pickets and nearly captured one of our posts. With only
sabers and revolvers, and mounted on such farmers' horses as could

BVT. BRIG. GENL. WM. J. PALMER

Antietam. 33

be pressed into service, with civilian saddles and bridles and no
spurs we were in no condition for a serious fight ; but carbines were
issued to us in a few days, and inspired the desire to put them to
use against the enemy should the Army of Virginia cross the
border.

Anxious hearts were beating back of us in Pennsylvania. When
the Confederate army entered Maryland, it being a semi-rebel
State, its people were treated with the utmost consideration. No
foraging was permitted and all supplies for the army were duly
paid for, and on one or two occasions their horses went hungry
rather than take by force any of the corn which was on all sides
of them. "Wait till we get into Pennsylvania — we'll show the
Dutchmen what an invasion is like," was the word that came from
their lines, and our farmers were in hourly dread of the fate the
rebels had threatened them with. Our noble War Governor,
Andrew G. Curtin, was making strenuous exertions to get together
a body of citizen soldiers, and Col. Alexander K. McClure, his
Assistant Adjutant General, was doing the work of a dozen men
to keep the rebel horde below the line of his native State, and
most of the time it looked as though the chances were against
him. For several days all the information which the Army of the
Potomac got of its enemy was furnished by us to Colonel McClure,
and he must have used that great ability of his to its utmost in
hurrying on its tardy footsteps; but he won, and Lee's army,
threatened in its rear, recalled Longstreet from his advanced post
ac Hagerstown, and the proposed invasion of Pennsylvania was
postponed for a year.

Colonel AlcClure had furnished us a very able assistant, in the
person of Wm. B. Wilson, as expert telegrapher, who took the
information we secured and sent it ofif to Harrisburg. There was
no delay in this, as Wilson was generally found up near our ad-
vance pickets with his instrument connected with the wire to
Harrisburg. On the night of September nth Wilson, with J. N.
Lewis and Peter Wallace, of our Regiment, took a hand car at
Greencastle and started toward Hagerstown and got near the State
line. Here the wire was connected, and soon the instrument was
ticking away, via Greencastle to Harrisburg, what the picket posts
had learned. About daybreak Lewis went off to a farmhouse and
engaged a toothsome breakfast for the party, but before they could

34 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

put it where it would do them the most good, a large party of
Colonel Brinn's Confederate cavalry appeared, driving them oft"
and eating the breakfast.

Back in our camp at Carlisle strenuous exertions were made to
hasten the 700 men there to the front, but such was the lack of
material with which to fit them out, that the majority was armed
with muskets that had originally been old flintlocks, and quite
a sprinkling of the men did duty at the front in citizen's dress.

About 9 p.M.^ on the night of September 13th, a large propor-
tion of those in camp were marched into Carlisle to take the train
for Chambersburg ; but there was some hitch in the arrangements,
for w'hile the cars were there the locomotive was not, and it v/as
not till 7 o'clock the next morning that they got off, and arrived
in due time at Chambersburg. Another detachment was sent off
about this time and came through to Greencastle. The State
authorities were assembling at the former place all the militia and
those who had volunteered for the emergency, and several thousand
had assembled under the command of Gen. Jno. F. Reynolds, who,
vv^ithin a year, gave up his life at Gettysburg. Horses were ob-
tained for our men by impressment and some by voluntary offer-
ing, and the start for the front was immediately made. On the
night of the 15th they reached Greencastle, and the next day
pushed, on to Hagerstown and charged through that town and
w ent on to Lappins' or Jones' crossroads.

It was a feather in our cap to be able to boast that we had
"charged through Hagerstown." That place had typified to our
minds the rebel army, and a charge was the heroic feature of a
cavalryman's life, and it appears that each detachment, as it drew
near to it, charged. About 3 p.m. of the 15th, Serg. R. W.
Hammel, with a detachment, raced through the town and met
some of our men coming from the opposite direction. They had
picked up about twenty-five prisoners, among them being a First
Lieutenant of a Maryland regiment and some privates from a
Louisiana regiment. Colonel Palmer came through the town with
about 150 men from some long march, and the dust covered them
so that they were scarcely recognized by their intimate friends.

That same night Colonel Palmer scouted the country toward
the enemy's left, and cautiously reached a farmhouse just outside
of the rebel line of battle. The farmer had been inside their lines

A„iic,a,„. 265627 ''

during the day, as it was on his own farm, and gave the Colonel
information of the positions of the enemy's troops and batteries
so far as he had seen them. All this time our men sat quietly on
their horses, holding their sabers to prevent any noise, and watch-
ing the picket fires of the Confederates, not far off. Colonel
Palmer made a map of the positions occupied by the rebel force,
and at 4 a.m. in the morning delivered it at General McClellan's
headquarters, together with the information that "Stonewall"
Jackson and his corps had gone to Harper's Ferry and were then
at or near that place. The receipt of this news was a relief to
General McClellan. He had already heard of it, but the way in
which it had come to him was so peculiarly direct that he was
fearful that it was a ruse of the enemy to lead hint into a move-
ment which would have been disastrous to his army.

It often happens that great events hinge on comparatively small
incidents. If General Lee had intrusted his special order, No. 191,
to a careful officer, the battles of South Mountain and Antietam
would not have been fought; but the careless officer dropped it
at Frederick, Md., and a member of the Twenty-seventh Indiana
found it on September 13th, and its importance being seen at once,
it was hurried to General McClellan, who found he was in pos-
session of Lee's order giving the present position of all his troops
and the movements they were to make for the next live or six
days. His army was widely scattered; "Stonewall" Jackson was
to capture Harper's Ferry, the principal object of the invasion,
while Longstreet was at Hagerstown, Md. General Lee calcu-
lated on the caution and slow'ness of General McClellan, whose
marches were usually about six miles a day ; but with this informa-
tion in hand General McClellan got up to South Mountain and
fought on September 14th and won. He ought to have fought
Lee on the Antietam the next day, or by the latest on September
1 6th, while "Stonewall" Jackson was still behind at Harper's
Ferry; but his caution made him suspicious that the information
had been put in his way purposely by the enemy, and he felt his
ground so carefully and slowly that Jackson was enabled to finish
his work at Harper's Ferry and get back in time to take part in
the battle, which took place on the 17th.

Early in the morning of the i6th a small scouting party, under
Major Ward, met a woman on the road, who gave the information

36 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvaiiia Cavalry.

that a party of rebels was at her sister's house getting breakfast.
The house was close at hand, and the Major, turning to Serg.
Harry C. Butcher, told him to take two men and capture them.
Butcher, taking David How and one other man, started on the
gallop, rode up to the door of the room in which they were ; and the
Sergeant jumped off his horse and into the room, surprising the
party, who, under the influence of a Colt's navy, surrendered at
once, and soon after expressed the supremest chagrin that five
men should surrender to three boys.

Lieut. Wm. Spencer, of the old Troop, commanded a squad of
from twenty-five to fifty men, with Serg. A. H. Mershon as
orderly; but the very hard duty in which we were engaged used
up Spencer, who, while he had plenty of grit, had not the physical
strength to keep it up, so had to retire and leave Sergeant Mershon
in command. Just below Hagerstown this command with some
others surprised and captured a considerable force of the enemy
under a Captain Griffin, of a Georgia regiment, and Lieutenant
Bilbro, of Alabama. These officers were very courteous and
friendly, and had none of the characteristics of the fire-eating
Southerner, and our men must have impressed them the same way,
for when they bid each other good-bye. Griffin took off his spurs
and Bilbro his belt and presented them to Mershon, with the wish
that they would meet again under happier auspices.

A scouting party below Hagerstown, under Serg. Chas. M.
Betts, who later in the war commanded the Regiment, riding over
a hill, discovered a camp of the enemy. Two of their officers rode
out to reconnoiter us, and Betts took off his cap and with it mo-
tioned to them to come on, which they did until satisfied that we
were not friendly, when shots were exchanged, which aroused
their camp, and, their numbers proving too large, Betts fell back.

Early in the morning of September 17th, the day of the great
battle of Antietam, Colonel Palmer gathered up all the Regiment
he could find at Jones' crossroads and in Hagerstown and marched
toward the battlefield to report to the Commanding General for
duty. Before we had gone a great distance the sound of heavy
firing was heard, which became clearer, sharper and more inces-
sant as we neared the field, and at last we could plainly hear the
rattle of musketry and the shriek of shells. At a point not far
from the east woods the column left the pike and moved over to the

Antietain. 37

woods, taking down the fence to enable us to cross the field to it.
On the pike our march was in column of fours, but broke into
twos on entering the field, and we continued our march toward the
firing line, and the order had just been given to "file right," when
the shot came which took Thomas Stockton through the heart,
killing him instantly. Without stopping, our march we continued
on a line parallel with the line of battle, and little details were made
for men to be stationed along the firing line to prevent stragglers
from passing to the rear. No one was allowed to go in that direc-
tion unless incapacitated from wounds. Others of our men were as-
sisting in taking care of the wounded in the various barns and im-
provised hospitals. At this time the firing became quick, and seem-
ingly close by us came' a most deafening roll of musketry. The
deep-breasted cheer of the Northern men given in unison told of a
point gained after a hard struggle, while the "rebel yell" was a
high, shrill yelp, given without concert and kept up continually,
as if it were an incentive to further action. Cheers and yells were
about equally mixed. Clouds of smoke prevented us seeing what
took place in front, but the stream of wounded passing to the rear
told of the fearful work going on. Fresh troops were continually
coming up to take the place of those retiring to secure a new
supply of ammunition. We were in close proximity to the famous
Dunkard Church, around which was the most terrible fighting of
the day. Sergeant Mershon and his squad were sent in with
Brown's New York Battery, and remained with it until a heavy
artillery fire was poured into it from a couple of batteries in front,
and then the Sergeant moved his men to a depression on the left
where several of our officers were, including Major Ward and
Captain Vezin. The fire on Brown's Battery was so heavy and
destructive that the guns were all dismounted and Captain Brown
and a number of his men killed. By someone's order I dismounted
and laid on the ground, holding my horse. Then a battery of
artillery came rushing up and took a position directly to my
right, between the east woods and the Hagerstown pike, and the
Captain commanding it told me to retire. General Meade was
near me, dismounted, but was giving orders and receiving reports.
Near him was General Duryea, of the New York Brigade. His
horse had been shot, and he. too, was on foot. At this time, in
the absence of orders, I did not know what to do: and to General

^8 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Duryea's inquiry as to where my command was, I could only
tell him I didn't know, when he said, "Remain with me — I may
have use for you," but when his aids came up he told me to retire
to the rear and try to find my command.

While in this position I had a splendid view of this part of the
battlefield — saw the charges of the infantry and the batteries in
action giving and receiving a hot fire. This w^is all in the direc-
tion of the Dunkard Church, behind which the rebels had a strong
position and were apparently in large force. On the pike strag-
glers and wounded men were passing in large numbers, and all
the confusion of a battlefield was in sight. In the rear and close
to a barn was a field hospital filled with wounded. The surgeons
were at work, with coats off and sleeves rolled up, and the barn
doors were used as tables on which were placed those receiving
attention. The sight to me was a sickening one, and I turned away
from it with horror.

At about this time I met my old schoolmate, Wm. ]\I. ^laurice,
and I don't know why we did it, but on each of our faces was a
kind of sickening grin, and instead of talking war and its glories
we talked of the playmates we left at Broad and Poplar Streets,
in Philadelphia. We did say a little about the chances of the day,
but in all the self-examination I ever made afterward I could not
determine why, in the midst of that most fearful battle, we talked
about something of which, just then, neither of us cared a rap.
But we soon parted, and after replenishing my two canteens, both
of which I had emptied in relieving the wounded, I continued along
the Hagerstown pike and soon met a detachment of our men and
was ordered to '"'fall in." This was some tim.e in the afternoon,
and the great battle of Antietam was about over, only occasional
shots being fired by the combatants in the neighborhood of the
Dunkard Church and away over to our left where General Burn-
side was engaged.

General AlcClellan had directed Colonel Palmer to make a
scout up the Potomac River and destroy the pontoon there,
which Lee's army might othenvise use to recross into Virginia.
It was a long, hard ride, most of it over the towpath between the
canal and river, and at one place it was necessary to go under the
canal through a tunnel and in single file. About the only orders
received after we started were to "close up." and these were given

Aiitictani. 39

in low tones, which, to vis, indicated danger ; but before dark the
work was accomphshed, and we marched back and closed in on the
right of our army and bivouacked around a farmhouse, making
a liberal use of the farmer's hay for our beds.

The morning after the battle some citizens were at our camp
anxiously inquiring for relatives who were serving with the Penn-
sylvania Reserves, and Major Ward detailed Wm. E. Reppert to
take them to the position the Reserves had fought over the day
before, as he had been with them a part of the time. They were
furnished horses and started. After crossing the Antietam, they
took up a smart gallop and soon were on that portion of the field
between two woods, where the dead of both armies lay thick ; but
in their eagerness to get there had passed beyond our skirmish
line, and nearing that of the enemy were fired on by the skir-
mishers and made to seek safety in the cover of the woods, where
our men were in line of battle. Just then a staff officer approached,
who ordered them off, as acting as they were "it would bring on
an engagement," which General McClellan did not want, and had
stationed officers on the field to stop all hostile demonstrations ;
but the orders raised the ire of a Captain commanding a battery
nearby, who made things warm with his profanity and was en-
couraged by those near him. He said: "That was just what they
wanted to do, and he had a notion to open the engagement him-
self. Lee's army was licked, and now was the time to capture most
of them." But it was not to be, although subsequent events have
proved that if the spirit animating the Captain of that battery had
prevailed at headquarters the war might have been over sooner.

It was in the afternoon of September 19th that Colonel Palmer
concluded to cross the Potomac to find out what General Lee's
plans were from personal observation in his rear. He had been
ordered by General McClellan to scout to the right of our line and
strike the Potomac River at Dam No. 4, and to endeavor to ascer-
tain what the next move of the enemy would be. Colonel Palmer
was not ordered to cross the Potomac to the Virginia side, nor was
it at first his intention to do so ; neither did he volunteer to cross.
His expedition was without the previous knowledge of head-
quarters, although he sent them w^ord when he crossed. He had
with him two civilians : one a cool, courageous blacksmith, and the
other a patriotic parson. These he had intended to send across

40 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

the ford and within the enemy's Hnes, but at the last moment he
decided to ride across with them, see and question for himself on
the Virginia side and return. It seemed to the young Colonel
that, with such a wide river as the Potomac at the back of the
enemy, his retreat might become a fatal rout if the right moment
could be known and promptly availed of for a vigorous attack;
and although the hazardous nature of the undertaking appealed
strongly to him, he would not have taken such an extra-military
step had it not been for his belief that the situation for Lee's army
was so critical that "perhaps," to use the Colonel's words, "the war
might be ended then and there." The Colonel crossed the river
toward evening, spent the night within the rebel Hnes and after
midnight got the information he sought, to wit, that Lee's retreat
was about to begin across the Potomac, when Stuart's entire
cavalry force, preparing for a raid into Pennsylvania around Mc-
Clellan's rear, came up and guarded the bank forward and back,
preventing the Colonel's return. He, with the blacksmith, was
taken prisoner by a battery. The parson brought the information
back to General McClellan, but too late.

On September 19th Maj. Frank Ward, commanding the Regi-
ment, was ordered by Gen. Jno. F. Reynolds, to make a demon-
stration on the rebel force at Williamsport. His force was about
300 men^ and the advance was in command of Captains Hurst and
Norman M. Smith, who attacked the rebel cavalry and soon drove
it to shelter behind one of their batteries, which opened furiously
and made a great deal of noise, but hurt no one. Major Ward
asked General Reynolds to support him with infantry, but the
General, having no troops but the militia which the State of Penn-
sylvania had called into service, concluded not to do so, as the
object of the demonstration had been attained.

Our work in this field was now done. The rebel army had suc-
cessfully retreated across the Potomac. Our Colonel was a pris-
oner in the hands of General Pendleton (Lee's Chief of Artillery),
whose men had captured him in citizen's clothes while obtaining
information, which meant death as a spy ; but he escaped later,
and joined us at a time when he was badly needed. At Greencastle
we returned the horses and accouterments we had impressed from
the citizens, were then loaded on a train and in a few hours landed
at our old camp at Carlisle.

A SCOUT TO HAGERSTOWN.

CORP. JAMES \V. OVER, COMPANY G, PITTSBURG, PA.

IN September, 1862, when Lee invaded Maryland, we pro-
ceeded by rail from Carlisle to Chambersburg and Green-
castle, where horses, saddles and bridles belonging to the
thrifty farmers of the Cumberland Valley were pressed into ser-
vice and part of the Regiment mounted. Longstreet was then in
Hagerstown, about ten miles distant, and our whole force was
placed on picket along the State line. By keeping up a bold
front, though inwardly quaking, we did what we could to prevent
the Confederate cavalry from making incursions into our State.
Another Comrade whose name I have forgotten, and myself, one
morning at Greencastle were ordered to report to Colonel McClure's
telegraph operator, Mr. Wilson, for scouting duty. We found him
with his telegraphic apparatus on a hand car on the railroad at
the State line sending dispatches to Harrisburg, and were ordered
by him to take a road leading to Hagerstown paralleling the main
road or pike, and to get as near that place as we could safely and
procure information for him. We passed our pickets, rode up a
hill by a large plantation house on our right, and a short distance
beyond it passed a crossroad leading from ours to the Hagers-
town pike. We thought at the time that the enemy might come
over from the Hagerstown pike by this road and prevent our
return by the road we were on. Our orders left everything to our
discretion, and, believing "discretion to be the better part of valor,"
after riding some distance without seeing the enemy or getting
any information, and influenced also by the fact that we had a
premonition that sooner or later a Confederate cavalry force
would cross over from the Hagerstown pike to our road, we
started back for our lines, keeping a sharp lookout for the ex-
pected enemy, and soon discovered a squad of cavalry on a hill
between us and our picket line and a horseman galloping rapidly
toward us. We concealed ourselves in the woods by the side of

41

42 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

the road, and, as he passed, seeing that he was a citizen, we joined
him in his ride, and discovered that the house we had passed was
the home of a Confederate Colonel, named Brinn; that he was
there, and that the cavalry in sight belonged to his command. The
citizen was an ardent rebel, carrying a message to the Colonel's
relatives, and was so much excited that he mistook us for Con-
federates, talked very freely to us and seemed to enjoy our com-
pany. This enjoyment terminated suddenly when we halted him,
and after some talk, punctuated by the muzzles of our revolvers
close to his face, we succeeded in making him understand we were
Yankees, that he was our prisoner and that he would have to
guide us across the country to our pickets, which he did very un-
willingly. On the trip through the woods and fields a number of
refugees from Hagerstown were discovered in hiding. We thought
our safety depended on making them prisoners, and we arrived
safely inside of our lines with the rebel citizen riding between us
and about fifty refugees, white and black — men, women and chil-
dren— driven in front like a flock of sheep. The Confederate
Colonel and his escort arrived at his house, which was in sight of
our pickets, soon after we had passed it; they supposed we were
captured, and so informed the telegraph operator, who was much
relieved when we reported to him.

EXTRACT FROM COL. A. K. McCLURE'S BOOK.
"LINCOLN AND MEN OF WAR TIMES."

ii /\N interesting story may be here told of the methods by
/A which information was obtained to guide the actions of
great armies. I was then Assistant Adjutant General
of the United States, assigned to duty at Harrisburg to make a
draft under the State laws of Pennsylvania. There was no mili-
tary force on the border and not even an officer of the army who
had exercised any command of troops. I was compelled, there-
fore, to exercise what little military authority could be enforced
under the circumstances, and Governor Curtin ordered a half-
organized Regiment of cavalry, that Capt. W. J. Palmer was
recruiting at Carlisle, to report to me at Chambersburg for duty
as scouts. I thus became Commander of an army of nearly loo
men, or about one man to each mile of border I had to guard ; but
Captain Palmer proved to be a host within himself, as he entered
the Confederate lines every night for nearly a week under various
disguises, obtained all information possible as to the movements of
Lee's command, and with the aid of William B. Wilson, an expert
telegrapher, who was co-operating with him, attached his instru-
ment to the first telegraph wire he struck -and communicated to
me all movements of the enemy, present and prospective, as far
as he had been able to ascertain them. As rapidly as these tele-
grams reached me they were sent to Governor Curtin, who
promptly forwarded them to the War Department, whence they
were hastened to General McClellan's headquarters, who was then
moving through Maryland against Lee; and all the important
information that McClellan received from the front of Lee's army
until their lines faced each other at Antietam came from Captain
Palmer's nightly visits within the "enemy's lines and his prompt
reports to me in the morning. Howell Cobb's division finally
reached as far north as Hagerstown. and Captain Palmer spent
most of the night within Cobb's camp, and learned from leading

43

44 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

subordinate officers that the destination of Lee"s army was Penn-
sylvania, and that Cobb's command would lead the movement
probably the next day.

"I need hardly say that I hastened the information to Curtin, who
hurried it through to Washington, whence McClellan received it
within a few hours. McClellan was then ignorant of the exact
movements of General Reynolds, whom he had sent to Pennsyl-
vania to organize a force of 'emergency men' and bring them to
the aid of McClellan in western Maryland. He did not know,
therefore, who was in command at Chambersburg or what force
was there, but doubtless supposed that either Reynolds or some
part of his command was already there on its way to join him.
General AlcClellan, on receipt of the news that Lee was likely to
advance into Pennsylvania, sent substantially this telegram to the
Commander at Chambersburg, without naming him: 'I am ad-
vised that Lee's probable destination is Pennsylvania, and if he
shall advance in that direction, concentrate all your forces and
obstruct his march until I can overtake him and give battle. The
occasion calls for prompt action.' As I was the Commander and
had less than lOO men, all told, and not twenty of them within fif-
teen miles of me, the prospect of concentrating my forces and
marching out to meet one of Lee's army corps was not specially
enticing. I promptly advised Curtin of the situation and of the
orders I had received from McClellan. Thaddeus Stevens hap-
pened to be in the Executive Chamber when the message was
received, and ]\IcClellan's order to me to confront one of Lee's
army corps with my force, which did not amount to a Corporal's
guard within reach, caused considerable merriment. Stevens, who
at that time never lost an opportunity to slur McClellan, said:
'Well, McClure will do something. If he can't do better, he'll
instruct the tollgate keeper not to permit Lee's army to pass
through ; but as to McClellan, God only knows what he'll do.'

"Thus one bold, heroic and adventurous young Captain, aided
by an equally heroic young telegrapher, furnished McClellan all
the reliable information he received about Lee's movements from
the time McClellan left Rockville in the Antietam campaign until
the shock of battle came, ten days later. I met Captain Palmer at
Antietam when the battle was in progress, and after compli-
menting him. as he so well deserved, for the great work he had

"Lincoln and Men of War Times." 45

done, I earnestly cautioned him against attempting to repeat his
experiments if Lee should be driven into Virginia. He was a
young man of very few words, and made no response to any ad-
monition beyond thanking me for my kind expressions of confi-
dence. When Lee retreated across the Potomac, Captain Palmer
preceded him the same night, entered his lines again and brought
important reports which, as I believe, led to the battle of Shep-
herdstown that was successfully fought by General Fitz John
Porter.- He then passed beyond my jurisdiction, and became
known to some of the leading officers of McClellan's army as the
scout or spy who had given McClellan most reliable and important
information. For several nights he entered Lee's lines and re-
ported in the morning. Finally, he was missed at the usual time
his report was expected. When the second day passed without
any word from him, great anxiety was felt for his safety, and every
effort was made that could be made, without exposing him to the
discovery of his identity, to learn of his whereabouts, but without
success. When he had been missing a week it was evident that
he had been captured, and, upon being advised of it from the
headquarters of McClellan's army, I hastened to Philadelphia to
confer with President J. Edgar Thompson, of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, whose secretary Captain Palmer had been
until he entered the service, and who was greatly interested in him
personally.

"A conference with President Thompson and Vice-President
Scott resulted in the purpose to endeavor to save Palmer from
being identified by his captors, and it was finally decided that I
should go to the offices of the North American, the Press and the
Inquirer, the leading morning journals of the city, and write up
for publication the next morning displayed dispatches announcing
the arrival in Washington of Capt. W. J. Palmer, who had been
scouting in Virginia for some days and who had brought most
important information of the movements and purposes of the
enemy. Some details of his reported facts were given to make
the story plausible, to which was added the statement that he had
brought momentous information that could not be given to the
public, but that would doubtless lead to early military movements
against the enemy. The dispatches were all accepted by the pub-
lishers, as all felt a special interest in Captain Palmer's fate, and

46 History of tJic FiftccntJi Pcniisylzviiia Cavalry.

that publication doubtless saved him from being gibbeted as a spy.
He had been arrested by the enemy, tried and convicted as a spy,
but he had managed to maintain doubt as to his identity. His
execution was delayed from time to time to ascertain who he was.
"Thedispatchespublished in the Philadelphia papers, all of which
reached the enemy's lines within forty-eight hours, if not sooner,
entirely misled the Confederates as to Captain Palmer, and the
failure to identify him saved him, until he finally effected his own
exchange by quietly taking the place of a dead prisoner in the
ranks and responding to his name when the roll was called for
the men who were to be sent to the North. He is better known
to the world of to-day as President Palmer, of Colorado Springs,
lately of the Denver and Rio Grande Railway, and one of the for-
tunate and potential railroad magnates of the land."

AFTER IXFOR^IATIOX WITH COLOXEL PALMER.

SERG. DAVID BARNHART, COMPANY B, PLEASANT UNITY, PA.

OXE of the first trips we made after reaching Greencastle,
on September loth, I took with Colonel Palmer. We went
down the road toward Hagerstown, and about a mile
from that place put our pickets on each side of the road until all
were posted, except John W. Jackson, a first cousin of Colonel
Palmer and a member of the old Troop and afterward an officer
in the Regiment, and myself. We three started toward Hagers-
town in silence, and on this night we could have called him "Wil-
liam, the silent,'' from the fact that he spoke no word, nor gave
a command, from the time we left Greencastle till we reached
Hagerstown, which was after dark, and then said : "Keep quiet ;
make no noise."

When we were about half way down the street, suddenly, from
a point in the front and left of the street, came out of the darkness
that order that few cared to disobey — "Halt !'' I made ready lor
business, when there was a laugh from the same quarter, which
gcive the assurance that it was all right and for us to advance,
which we did, and found one man standing on the sidewalk.
Colonel Palmer dismounted and went into the house with him for
a short time. When he came out we continued on through
Hagerstown, on the road toward Williamsport, a short distance,
then turned to the right through a gate into a field about 200 yards
to a large house, where we found a man standing as if he was
waiting for someone. Colonel Palmer dismounted and shook
hands with him, and without a word they went into the house. In
a short time Lieutenant Jackson was called in, and after that I
was called, and when I went upstairs I found Palmer and Jack-
son disrobed and their uniforms put in two bundles. Colonel
Palmer told me to take the bundles back to Mutton town, where
T would find a man at a certain place, and to give them to him.

48 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

but if asked to tell where he (Palmer) was to deny knowing any-
thing about him.

I arrived at Muttontown about daybreak and, finding my man,
delivered the bundles Avith the instructions to hold them until
called for. He excitedly wanted to know where Colonel Palmer was
and I replied that I had no knowledge of him. After getting my
breakfast at the hotel, I was standing in front of it, looking up
the road toward Hagerstown, and saw a man dressed in a butter-
nut colored suit come riding toward me. When he got near I
saw it was Jackson, who said to me : "I see you got through all
right, and you must have had a narrow escape, as the 'rebs' must
have entered the town just as you were leaving it." He told me
that on his way back from where I had left them he got into
Hagerstown and found it full of "rebs," and that he had a fine time
making his way through them by playing citizen, and didn't waste
much time, either. Colonel Palmer remained, but joined us again
in a day or two.

REMINISCENCES OF ANTIETAM.

CORP. DARWIN E. PHELPS, COMPANY G, SPOKANE, WASHINGTON.

ABOUT the loth of September, 1862, while our Regiment
was at Carlisle, Pa., being drilled by the regular army
drill Sergeants, a dispatch came ordering us to help in
the defence of the State from the threatened invasion of General
Lee. We could not be considered a well-organized body of sol-
diers, for we had not been a month in the service and many of the
men had not even received their uniforms, and sabers were the only
weapons we possessed up to this time, but we went. A small
detachment started at once to Greencastle, with Colonel Palmer,
and were very active in gathering in horses and scouting in front
of the rebels, who had advanced as far as Hagerstown, Md. The
bulk of the Regiment followed in a few days and were quickly
mounted.

The people of Pennsylvania were greatly alarmed, as well as the
authorities at Washington, as it was not clear what Lee's inten-
tions were. After everything was in readiness. Colonel Palmer
took command and we started for Hagerstown, Md., it being re-
ported that the rebels were in that place. The day was warm and
the roads dusty. As we approached the outskirts of the town our
pace was quickened, and soon we were on a full charge in column
of fours. The first intimation the citizens had of our approach
was the sounds of our horses' hoofs, and many of the women were
terribly frightened. The banging of doors and rattle of sash re-
sounded all along the street. This and the screams of women and
children made quite a din. The dust was so thick we could
scarcely see. A pile of bricks had been dumped in front of a house
being built, and the rider's horse in front of me stumbled and fell.
My mare made a flying leap, clearing everything. I never heard
whether the man was badly hurt or not. On we went, clear
through, without halting. We found no rebels in the town, so con-
tinued our wild dash for about a mile further, then halted, to give

4 49

50 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

our horses time to breathe a httle. We were a dusty-looking set. It
was getting on toward night, and, after going a few miles further,
we turned into a clover field by the side of the road, where we
dismounted and were ordered to stay by our horses, ready to
mount at any moment. Our horses enjoyed the clover and soon
filled themselves, but their riders went hungry. We had to stay
awake all night and watch the horses. At daylight we continued
our march until we came to Jones' crossroads. There we were
divided up into squads and placed on picket, while others were
kept scouting around all through the day and night, watching the
different roads.

Comrade J. H. Crum and I were together, and our appetites had
become so sharpened by our recent experiences that we thought a
good meal at the hotel would go better than hard-tack. There was
a good country hotel at the crossroads, so, after we had awakened
and brushed up, we went to it and ordered breakfast. When we
were ushered into the dining-room we were most agreeably sur-
prised, everything was so neat and clean ; the table looked inviting
and everything on it was of the best. We had warm biscuit,
excellent bread, honey, good butter, ham and hot coffee. To a
couple of hungry, half-starved fellows like us, everything was
good and we did not fail to do it justice. After we had eaten to
our satisfaction we went out, got our horses and joined the
pickets. We had the four roads to guard. Throughout the day
and night scouting parties were sent out to reconnoiter. We kept
our horses in a field alongside the road, tied to the fences, and
each man was expected to sleep in the rear of his horse.

The night before the battle there was a fine, sifting shower of
rain. Crum and I concluded we didn't want to go scouting that
night, feeling tired and sleepy ; so, in order not to be disturbed, we
crawled over the fence and made our bed in the other field at our
horses' heads in place of their, heels. Each of us had a good gum
poncho. We spread one on the ground and the other over us.
This, with our saddles for pillows, comprised our bed. Our car-
bines were placed under our heads, so as to keep them dry. We
were soon fast asleep, in defiance of rain, rebels and everything
else. Somewhere along about the middle of the night I was awak-
ened from my sweet dream.s by the manly voice of an officer call-
ing to know if we boys didn't want to go out with I.ieutenant

Reminiscences of Antietani. '51

Tintsman on a reconnoitering expedition. No answer. F"inally,
after calling and calling in vain, I felt a firm hand grasp me by
my boot, and after giving me a good shake said, "Wake up here !"'
I couldn't play off any longer, so I said "Hugh?" "Wake up, you
fellows ! Don't you want to go out with Lieutenant Tintsman on a
scout?" I said, "No." "Well, then, you will have to go." "Oh,
all right ; of course, then we will go ;" so we got up and found the
night clear and beautiful, the stars shining in all their brilliancy.
We soon saddled and bridled our horses and took our places in
line, then away we went down the road, looking sharp for the
enemy. We had gone perhaps four or five miles when, in an
instant, the quiet of the night was broken by the roar of at least
half a dozen guns. All we could see was the flash. The column
was thrown into some slight confusion at first, but quickly got
straightened up. It was found that the Lieutenant's horse had
been instantly killed. The Lieutenant mounted behind one of
the men and we started on our return. I soon found that Crum
was not in the crowd. Someone said he was coming back there.
I rode back a short distance, and could hear him cursing his luck
for being obliged to ride such "a contemptible little pot-bellied
lazy beast." The idea of giving him such a thing as this for a
cavalry horse, etc. I called, "John, is that you?" "Yes, that's
me." "Well, hurry up." "I have all the steam on now I can
raise with this thing," said he. Well, we soon caught up with the
column and marched back to camp, where we got a pretty good
sleep before daylight, after all the fuss. The next day we found
that Crum had had a pretty close call, a bullet having chipped a
patch out of the right shoulder of his jacket. I was riding right
behind him, and being so much taller than he I can't see how it
missed me. The pickets that fired on us belonged to a Wisconsin
regiment; their orders were to fire without halting. We found
this out afterward.

We were awakened in the morning by the booming of cannon.
It was the ushering in of one of the bloodiest days America ever
saw. All now was excitement. The sound of the cannonading
in the distance was grand. Everybody was busy getting ready to
move, horses had to be fed, Avatered, cleaned, saddled and bridled ;
besides we had our own grub to look after — hard-tack and coffee —
but soon all were readv, and, at the command, the column was

52 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

formed and we took up our line of march to the battlefield. The
road was almost hidden by the heavy mist that had settled down
during the night, but the rays of the rising sun were fast dispelling
it, and every indication pointed to a hot day. On our way we
passed the Lieutenant's horse, lying by the roadside, where it had
fallen after being shot, and although the time that had elapsed
was so short, yet the carcass was all puffed up. We hadn't trav-
eled many miles until we arrived at the place where the battle
was raging. We were halted, right on the road at the edge of a
dense woods, and it seemed but a short distance through the woods
to where the fighting was going on. Presently two or three
country wagons emerged from the woods. They were covered
with sheets, bloody in places. This struck me as strange. I
couldn't imagine what they were hauling dead bodies off the field
for. The wagons were driven by country people — farmers. They
said nothing to any of us and nothing was said to them.

After a while a young fellow came out holding the index finger
of his right hand. The first joint was shot away and he was trymg
to keep it from bleeding. The perspiration was pouring off his
face. I asked him how it was going. He said : "1 think we have
got them this time." Shortly after this I was ordered to carry a
dispatch to an officer in charge of a bridge across the Baltimore
and Ohio Canal. The orders were to burn the bridge at once, and
I was told to look sharp and be lively as I might meet the whole
rebel army. I had to go to Williamsport and from there up along
the canal to the bridge. After leaving Williamsport it was not
long until I found there was another fellow ahead of me, who
seemed to be in as big a hurry as I was, but my mare was gaining
on him, and we were not very far apart when we arrived at the
bridge. He hadn't more than delivered his message until I was
there with mine. I found the men were all of our Regiment. The
Lieutenant in charge belonged to our Regiment, but I was not
acquainted with him. They had the bridge piled full of hay and
fence rails — everything in readiness to set the match. There were
a lot of old farmers there, pleading for us not to burn the bridge,
as they didn't see how they could get along without it. Before
our arrival there had been quite a lively skirmish with a lot of
rebs posted behind a frame house on the other side of the Potomac.
The enemy commenced firing on our men, thinking to drive them

Reminiscences of Antietam. 53

away and save the bridge, but when our fellows turned loose on
them it was too hot and they left. Not knowing how soon Lee
might be along, our Lieutenant ordered the match applied, and,
after waiting to see that the bridge was certain to burn, we took
up our march back to the battle.

I found our fellows on the road where I had left them. Shortly
after I had got my place in column, Comrade N. G. Pinney joined
me. He told me he had just had the most thrilling experience of
his life. After I had gone the Colonel took what men he gathered
up towards our line of battle. Pinney said he felt like seeing
it and so joined the squad. Away they went, until they came to
where they could see the lines of the contending forces charging
back and forth. They hadn't been there long, the Colonel look-
ing for some general officer to report to, until his attention
was attracted by the sound of a dull, heavy thud. He looked, and
the man on his left, young Stockton, nephew of Commodore
Stockton, was just falling from his horse, shot through the breast.
He was dead before he reached the ground. The Colonel ordered
a couple to dismount and get the man off the field. They
had a hard time of it, as they had to hold their horses and drag
Stockton along at the same time. The firing was becoming pretty
hot by this time, and the horses were restless. After some difficulty
they succeeded in getting him to an old stone barn that was being
used by the surgeons as a temporary hospital. There they left
him, and mounting their horses resumed their places in the col-
umn. The next move the Colonel made was to post the men as
pickets, to prevent straggling. Pinney said he hadn't been long
in his position until a young fellow came hurrying up, completely
loaded down with canteens strung alternately across his shoulders.
Pinney halted him and asked him where he was going. The fellow
said he was after water and was going to have it, too ; so he was
told to go ahead. Next came another man on the same errand
and he was passed ; then came a fellow with a section of artillery,
on a full run. He halted, whirled around and proceeded to get
into position. He asked Pinney what he was doing there. He
informed him he had been posted there to stop stragglers. "Well,"
said he, "this is no place for you, young man." By this time the
fire was getting hot; the limbs and branches of the trees were
falling, torn by shot and shell. He looked to the right and left

54 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

and not one of our men could be seen. Then he started to get out.
His horse was wild with fright; it was all he could do to retain
control of her. He started down through a corn field, which was
literally plowed by shot and shell and saturated with blood. His
mare in her wild, frantic struggles finally threw him clear over her
head, but he managed to hold to the bridle and at last succeeded
in regaining his seat; then he let her go just as fast as she wished,
'■for, said he, I was in as big a hurry as she." It wasn't a great
while until she landed in the road, and as soon as she saw the
other horses she calmed down, perfectly satisfied. At the time
he was thrown a piece of shell struck the seat of his saddle, a sort
cf side swipe, ripping the rawhide off the tree ; so it was a
good thing for him that he was thrown.

We were right on the edge of the battle, but could see nothing
on account of the dense foliage. The battle sounded like the hum
of an angry swarm of bees. We sat there and listened. Some-
times it was like innumerable voices of men angry at something
that was being done that they didn't like. The leaves of the trees
were all vibrating as though stirred by a gentle breeze, although
there wasn't a breath of air in motion. It was as calm and beau-
tiful a day as I ever saw, but, oh, how laden with sorrow ! Many
were the brave lads who woke that morning only to close their
eyes, before night, on this world forever. How time does fly in a
battle ! It was but a short time, seemingly, since morning, and now
it was almost night. At last we were ordered to get ready to
move. We were going, it was said, to make a circuit of the battle-
field by way of observation, but we saw no more of the actual
fighting. I think this was done for the purpose of finding out if
there were any movements on the part of the rebels looking
toward retreat. We were finally drawn up in a lane and there
remained until long after midnight. Some of the men sat on the
fence, while others stood by their horses' heads, so as to give the
poor animals as much rest as possible. Everything was perfectly
quiet. The fighting seemed to be all over, when all at once an
immense shell was fired in the direction of Scottsville. It was
beyond all doubt the most startling old screamer I had yet heard.
It was as though a couple of fiends had caught the corners of the
heavens and were ripping them right down through the center.
It was a fitting close to the day.

Reminiscences of Antietam. , 55

After remaining there about an hour longer, someone took
charge of the Regiment and we were marched back to the cross-
roads. The great battle was over, neither one of the armies having
much the advantage. Lee was glad to get back over the Potomac
once more.

The next day, I think, we broke camp and proceeded on our
way to Greencastle, where we were to turn our horses over to their
owners. When we arrived there we turned into a vacant field,
tied our horses to the fence and everything was ready for the
farmers to reclaim their stock. They were there, ready and
anxious to begin. It was pathetic to hear the remarks of some of
■those old fellows when they saw those horses. "Well," said one
gentleman, when he saw his favorite riding mare, "I wouldn't have
believed that boss could have been used up that way in such a
short time."

Our next move was back to Carlisle, where we resumed our
drill, preparatory to joining the Grand Army of the Cumberland
in the west.

ON PICKET AT ANTIETAM.

SERG. \VM. MCGEE, REGIMENTAL SADDLER, TOLLGATE, W, VA.

IN September, 1862, our Regiment, after being recruited in
different parts of the State, had assembled at Carhsle for
organization. We had not been a month in the service when
General Lee invaded Maryland, and a detail was made from the
Regiment to meet him. At that time the men were not fully uni-
formed and all the arms we had were sabers, but revolvers were
issued to the first detachment that was sent down ; and while drawn
up in line, in front of the Colonel's tent, we had orders to load
them, which we did in a bungling fashion, without any accident
happening, which was fortunate, as most of those in line had never
loaded a revolver before and broke all the rules ever made for
doing it safely. We were just as badly off for officers. Quite a
number of the old Troop were with us, but their positions were
only temporary ones, and I think the only commissioned officer
of the Regiment was Captain Wm. J. Palmer.

We rode all night on the cars and arrived at Greencastle the
next morning, and at once were sent out in the country to press
horses from the farmers. Some sort of an organization was made,
and Braden J. Hurst, of the old Troop, was appointed Captain of
the Company to which I was assigned, and he appointed me tem-
porary First Sergeant.

Our Company reached the battlefield of Antietam on the after-
noon of the battle, September 17th, and on the same evening Major
Ward sent for me and told me to take six men down on the bank of
the Potomac and picket where the right wing of our army rested
on the river. The Major gave me very particular instructions as
to my duty. He told me that it was understood that General Lee's
army was penned up in the bend of the river and had control of
no ford to cross over into Virginia, and that it was probable he
would try to break through our right wing, just where we were
posted, to get out and up the river, and that I must be very vigi-
lant and report at once any movement in my front. I took my men
56

Oil Picket at Antictain. 57

down and made my reserve post on the road, about 200 yards
back from the canal, and placed the videttes down on the north
bank of the canal, below a large grain elevator and a group of
houses. McClellan's infantry was on the river blufif above us.
I did not sleep a wink that night, but went back and forth between
the reliefs and at daylight was with the videttes, where I got a
boat and crossed the canal to the towpath on the other side, and
on looking over the river I saw two Confederates coming across
on a fish dam. Calling over to my boys what I had discovered, I
slipped down to the willows and concealed myself in a position to
head them off, and as soon as they landed I stepped out on the
sandy beach and called to them to surrender, and when they saw
my revolver presented, up went their hands, in token that they
gave up. They had no arms, but had gone over the river to forage
for something to eat, and coming back got on the wrong dam, the
right one for them being a half mile below. I marched them up
the bank and followed, revolver in hand, up to the towpath and
across the canal. A company of infantry had come up and were
drawn in line. They saluted us with cheers and "Bully for you.
Sergeant !" My prisoners said General Lee had three fords he
could use to cross over into Virginia, so I at once sent them to
Major Ward and he sent them to General McClellan's headquar-
ters, to let him know of the fords, but I think now that he knew it
before he got the information from us.

On the second night after the battle of Antietam, the Fifteenth
Pennsylvania Cavalry camped in the streets of Hagerstown, Md.
As for myself, I made my bed on the sidewalk, on a very hard,
flat rock. The next morning Major Ward led us out the pike
toward Williamsport. When we had got out about two miles it was
discovered that the enemy had a piece of artillery planted on the
pike, about a half mile in front of us. We hiked out of the road
in a hurry and drew up in line in a meadow facing south. We had
hardly gotten out of the way when a round shot came skipping by.
If it had come five minutes sooner it would have raked us from
front to rear.

Our line was to the left of the pike. In our front and to the
left was a strip of woods, I guess a quarter of a mile long by 200
yards wide. I was ordered to take eight men and go through the
woods and feel the enemy, and to dismount at the edge of the
woods and go through on foot. Not knovv^ing better, I dismounted

58 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

all the men, and we tied our horses to saplings. I then ordered the
men to scatter. Our line stretched from one edge of the woods
to the other. It made a very thin skirmish line. When we were
about half through the timber an orderly overtook us, and said
we were to come back and mount and report to the Major. Before
getting there another orderly came with orders for me to take my
men and picket a road that led out through the farms to the left of
our line. After being in this position for an hour I received orders
to go out still farther to the left of the timber, and go on until I
found the enemy, and see how many there were and what they
were doing. We mounted and went some distance out the road
and through a gate into a field. On the far side of this field was a
post-and-rail fence. Finding it impossible to get through with
horses, I told the men to remain there and I would go alone on foot
and make observations myself. I went forward, along an old-
fashioned worm fence, until I was even with the south end of the
woods. Some 300 or 400 yards away, with a small valley between,
looking south, I could see the dust rising over the roads and could
hear the rumble of artillery wagons. At first I could see no one,
but presently heard voices, and looking down in the valley I saw
and counted thirty rebel soldiers; some were lying down, others
were washing their faces in a small stream. Taking them all
together they were a shabbly lot. Not being familiar with the long
range of guns I felt perfectly safe, but when I turned to go back,
and had taken about two steps, a bullet passed my nose so close
that I put my hand to my face to see if I had a nose left. I then
started on a trot, when another shot was fired, but fell short,
striking on the other side of the fence. I got back and reported
to Major Ward and then resumed my picket post. When night
came our whole force — cavalry and infantry — fell back to Hagers-
town very quietly, so quietly that I knew nothing about it. About
10 o'clock that night I heard someone calling softly, "Hello, Ser-
geant !" "Hello, yourself ! Who are you and what do you want?"
"I am a messenger from Major Ward. The command left here
at dark and you were forgotten. Get your men mounted and get
back to Hagerstown as quick as possible," was his reply.

When it is known that it was less than a month since I had left
my home in a quiet little town in western Pennsylvania, the reader
will no doubt think I was being initiated in the art of war by a
suspension of the rules.

COLONEL PALMER AND THE PATRIOTIC PARSON.

First-Lieut. Chas. H. Kirk, Philadelphia.

IT adds greatly to the efficiency of any army to campaign in a
country where its inhabitants are friendly to their cause, as
then all the movements of the enemy are at once forwarded to
the headqtiarters of the friendly command. When in the South,
all movements of the Union Army were noted by rebel sympa-
thizers, even to the number of troops, and then sent where the
information would do us the most harm. But the colored people
did not act thus. They were our friends and so far as was in
their power, would bring or forward to us all they considered
would be to our advantage. The great drawback to the informa-
tion they gave was their ignorance of numbers. They had no
language to indicate, with any idea of exactness, how many of
our enemy were at the places they named and their report of
"a right smart lot" might mean ten or a thousand.

In our Maryland campaign Union loving people were found
who kept us, to a certain extent, posted on the movements of the
rebels, and other ways were at times resorted to when important
information was desired. One of the most dramatic incidents in
the early history of our Regiment — one most unfortunate in its
efiPects for some time, the capture of Colonel Palmer (then a Cap-
tain) as a spy on the south side of the Potomac River after the
battle of Antietam — is perhaps best told in the words of Colonel
Palmer himself in the annexed certificate.

This was written in aid of a patriotic parson who accompanied
him on that expedition. The parson had escaped and brought
back most important information, but as he was unknown, it
could not be acted upon at Headquarters, and the reverend gen-
tleman was even charged with betraying Colonel Palmer into
rebel captivity, and sent to prison at Fort Delaware.

The application of Mr. Stine to the authorities at Washington,
for compensation for the scout duty he performed and the indig-

59

6o History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

nities he suffered, resulted in his receiving from the Government
five hundred dollars.

Headquarters isth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Huntsville, Alabama.

February 12, 1865.

I certify on honor, first, that on the day before the battle of South
Mountain the Rev. J. J. Stine, of Cumberland County, Pa., came into
the lines of my regiment, five miles south of Greencastle, Pa., on the
Williamsport Road, and communicated the information that in crossing
the Potomac River at Williamsport, Md., he had met the rear guard of
Stonewall Jackson's rebel corps crossing to the south side of that river;
that this information (which was evidently of great importance as
showing that Lee's Army then on or near the South Mountain had been
weakened by the detaching of one-third of its- force sent to attack
Harper's Ferry on the south side of the Potomac; also as showing the
danger to the garrison at Harper's Ferry) I immediately forwarded by
telegraph to Col. Alex. McClure at Headquarters, Chambersburg, who
was in telegraph communication with the headquarters of the army at
Washington.

Second. That the next morning, on hearing cannonading in the
direction of South Mountain, and also of Harper's Ferry, I was desirous
of ascertaining what effect this would have upon the movements of the
enemy's force in my front, consisting of Longstreet's Corps, then camped
at or near Hagerstown or Funkstown, Md. ; that the Rev. J. J. Stine,
aforesaid, volunteered to go into the enemy's lines at Hagerstown, and
obtain the desired information; that I consented and he started ofif in
that direction, and returned to my headquarters a little after dark the
same day, and reported as follows : That he had reached Hagerstown
about noon, and found that most of Longstreet's Corps had already
marched that morning towards South Mountain on the Boonsboro Road;
that on a hill about two miles from town he could see the rear guard of
the marching column moving eastward at i p. m. ; that he could see
the wagon trains turn off the Boonsboro Road, east of Hagerstown, at
a point where a road turned off to Williamsport, and go into camp, and
that one brigade of Longstreet's Corps, under Toombs, was still camped
near Hagerstown, and would, in his opinion, remain there till morning.

That this important information I also telegraphed immediately to
headquarters at Chambersburg, and the next morning verified its correct-
ness by pushing into Hagerstown with my command of 200 cavalry, where
I captured a considerable number of stragglers, and ascertained that
Toombs' brigade had been left at Hagerstown until about i a. m.,
when it had commenced retreating towards the Potomac River. That
the truth of Mr. Stine's report in regard to Longstreet's wagon trains
was proven the same day by the arrival at Greencastle of all our cavalry
from Harper's Ferry under Colonel Davies, who had captured on the
road one of these trains (loaded with ordnance) within three miles of
Williamsport on the road from Funkstown.

Colonel Palmer and the Patriotic Parson. 6i

Third. I further certify that the day succeeding the battle of Antie-
tam, my command being then on the extreme right of our armj^ and
General McClellan having expressed to me his wish that a spy should be
sent across the Potomac River to Shepherdstown to ascertain whether
General Lee was making any preparations to retreat to the south side of
the river and General McClellan having stated how extremely important
this information would be to him, I decided in a fit of injudicious patriot-
ism to cross the Potomac myself in company with the Rev. J. J. Stine,
and endeavor to procure this important information, on the possession of
which I thought the fate of the rebel army of Virginia and its possible
complete destruction might hinge.

That I accordingly crossed the river at Dam No. 4, taking Mr. Stine
with me, and during the night obtained the information from a loyal
physician of Shepherdstown, Va., that at midnight no crossing had
actually taken place, but that the rebels were evidently just begin-
ning to cross. While near Dam 4 during the night we were
passed by the whole of Stewart's cavalry, then moving from Shepherds-
town towards Williamsport to cross to the north side of the Potomac.
With these two items of information we were about starting back when
we were captured by a battery of rebel artillery, which had been sent up
to guard the ford at Dam No. 4 during the retreat of Lee's Army across
the river; that I was sent on to Richmond, but Mr. Stine effected his
escape at Dam No. 4 before suspicion was strongly fastened upon him.

Fourth. I further certify that when I returned from Richmond the
following January, I found to my astonishment, that the Rev. J. J.
Stine had been arrested and confined for several months in Fort Dela-
ware on the charge of having betrayed me into rebel captivity, and that
he was still under parole, from which my application to the Secretary
of War procured an immediate release.

That in my opinion the imprisonment of Mr. Stine at Fort Delaware
was longer and more severe than it otherwise would have been, from
the fact that he generously appreciated the danger in which I might be
placed at Richmond by the publication of any of the circumstances
attending my capture and his escape at Dam No. 4.

That in addition to my feelings of personal gratitude to him; for this
self-denial, I wish to state that I regard him as a disinterested and
earnestly patriotic citizen, who was willing to risk his life at repeated
times for the sake of the national cause; that he has had considerable
odium attached to his name by the general community in consequence
of his imprisonment in Fort Delaware, and is now quite poor. His
services were of great value to the army and to the country, and I hope
they will be rewarded in the most liberal manner.

I am, with great respect,

Wm. J. Palmer,
Colonel commanding 15th Penna. (Anderson) Cavalry.

OUR FIRST CAMPAIGN,

GEO. NEIL^ COMPANY D, MARSHALLTOWN^ IOWA.

HAVING heard much of the Anderson Cavalry, a battahon
of 400 men for special service in the Army of the Cumber-
land and to act as General Buell's bodyguard, I determined
to enlist in it if they would take me. I had at that time just passed
my sixteenth birthday, but was large and strong for my age, and,
as eighteen was the minimum age for accepting recruits, I decided
to tell them I was nearly nineteen in order to have them take me.

After making some inquiries in regard to the Troop, I found
it was necessary to have a recommendation from some prominent
citizen or well-known firm. This I knew I could get, so on August
18, 1862, I went- to the recruiting station, on the southwest corner
of Third Street and Willing's Alley, and found a place crowded
with men waiting to enlist in the command. I saw a carbine, saber,
belt and pistol standing in the corner of the room, a pair of cavalry
boots in the window and a cavalry cap hanging on the wall.

After waiting for a short time I went to the desk of the recruit-
ing Sergeant, whom I found to be an old acquaintance, Roland
Seeger, and told him I wanted to enlist in the Troop. He asked
me my name, which I gave him. He said they were not accepting
any more men then, but that he would take me, handing me the en-
listment papers to fill out and sign, which I did. By the way, I still
have in my possession those enlistment papers, made out and
signed by myself, and the parent's consent, in case of a minor,
signed by my mother.

Sergeant Seeger then told me to go to the examining surgeon.
Dr. Jas. Patterson, at Broad and Pine Streets, for examination.
I found the doctor there, and how fearful I was that he would not
pass me, but he did, and pronounced me fit for service. I then went
tc my mother to get her consent to my enlistment, and how I had
to coax her to sign the paper ! She said : "No, you are too young ;
you are only sixteen, and you say here you are nineteen. I will not
62

Oiir First Caml^aign. 63

sign it." But after a couple of hours" persuasion she relented
and signed the papers. I then hastened to Alderman Dougherty
and was sworn in. From there I went to Rockhill & Wilson's and
was measured for my uniform; from there to Sullender & Pas-
chal's and got a cavalry cap ; from there to Dickerman and was
measured for long boots.

The next day I was busy buying such indispensable articles for
a soldier as camp knife, dirk knife, rubber blanket and talma, and
getting myself ready to leave my home. I had everything I
wanted for a life I knew nothing of except that it would be full
of hardships, danger and perhaps death. I thought that I ought
to go and do all that I could to help my country in her hour of
need and help sustain the glory of our old flag.

On the 2.1st of August I left Philadelphia for the camp at Car-
lisle, Pa. I arrived there about 3 o'clock that afternoon, and found
the camp was situated on the grounds of the United States Cavalry
Barracks. There were probably 200 men of the Troop there.
There were no officers present, no tents, no rations, no one in
charge who seemed to know anything about us or care for us.
As there was a prospect of rain during the night, about forty of us
got some large packing boxes that were on the ground, placed
them in two long rows, about eight feet apart, covering them with
a long canvas we got from somewhere. We named it "Poverty
Pow,"' and in this place we lived until tents were issued to us.

On August 22d we were mustered into the service of the United
States for three years or during the war.

Poles and flies of wall tents were issued to us, which, after a
gi-eat deal of trouble and hard work, we managed to get up in
pretty good shape. We then bought boards and made floors for
our tents, and oh, Lord ! how hard those boards Avere to sleep on !

During the balance of the month we were kept busy learning the
life of a soldier and being drilled twice a day by the regulars.
Will any of us ever forget that Irish Sergeant who originated,
*'Hep, hep ! now you've got it ! Damn you ! keep it ! Hep, hep?''

Those who could not stand camp life went to the hotels at
Carlilse for their meals or else patronized the hucksters, who were
ever present with their pies and things ; and those were the days,
if a soldier wanted to go to town or to Philadelphia for a few days,
he wrote his own oass, which was usuallv honored bv the o-tiards.

64 History of the Fifteenth Peniisylz'ania Cavalry.

Every evening we would have dress parade, when the citizens
of Carlisle came out in crowds to see the Andersons. General Lee
about this time began his invasion of the North, which resulted in
the battle of Antietam. We were in no condition to fight an
enemy, unless that enemy was willing to fight on equal terms with
sabers, as that weapon was all we had; but on September 9th a
detail of about 200 men — those who knew how to ride a horse —
were selected and sent off to GreencastlCj first having revolvers
issued to them. But a day or two later we received orders to get
ready to march immediately, and about 11 p.m. we were formed
in line and marched to town. We were halted by the side of a
trains of cars and waited the rest of the night for an engine to
come and haul us away. During the night we had quite a hard
shower.

Shortly after daylight the men scattered to the dilterent houses,
where we got a good breakfast. It was 7 o'clock when an engine
came up and hooked on our train. We got on board, and amid
cheers and the waiving of handkerchiefs we pulled out. We were
taken to Chambersburg, where we disembarked, and were quar-
tered in and around the courthouse, but the majority of the men
soon found better quarters at the hotel and private houses.

The following day several of the men were sent into the country
to press horses and bring them in, so that we could be mounted.

Toward evening a report came to camp that there were some
rebels at a small town not far away, so a party was detailed to go
after them. They were ordered to take muskets. This a number
objected to, said they had enlisted as cavalry and not to carry
muskets, and especially such arms as they were. Some of the boys
claimed their guns were flintlocks. After considerable argument
and coaxing the officer in command finally got about one-half of
the men to take the muskets. We then boarded the train and rode
about fifteen miles. Every mile or two some man would get'" dis-
gusted with his musket and throw it ofif the train. About 12
o'clock the train stopped, and we got off and were marched three
or four miles into the country, expecting every minute to be fired
into from both sides of the road. At last we marched into the
woods on the side of the road, were told to lie down and sleep,
but to be ready for an attack at anv minute.

The next morning a portion of the command was ordered to

Our First Campaign. .65

march back to Chambersburg and get horses. We left our
blankets and bundles behind us, and were told we would get them
again at Greencastle. We marched all day, reaching Chambers-
burg in the evening, found the horses saddled and waiting for us.
We dropped our muskets without a single regret and mounted our
steeds. I was fortunate enough to draw a fine young horse that
had never been ridden, and the horse drew a rider who had never
ridden a horse. That horse and I had some great times together.
Part of the time he went where I wanted him to go, and the bal-
ance of the time I went where he wanted to go.

We left Chambersburg at 9 p.m., marched to Greencastle, reach-
ing there at midnight. We put our horses in a field and tied them
to a fence. Some of the men were tired and they laid down in the
field and went to sleep, but four or five others and myself thought
we would go to the depot and sleep there. Just as we got there
we met the Sergeant, who told us as we were the only ones he
could find we would have to go on picket. Jacoby and myself
were put on one post, about a mile from town, and sat there on
our horses for the remainder of the night. Shortly after daylight
we were relieved, and went to a tavern on the road, where we
found some of our boys, so we stopped and got breakfast. We
then marched down the road until we came to another picket post.
We stayed with them until afternoon, when we rejoined the
balance of the command, which was on the march for Hagerstown,
Md. It was reported there were some rebels there. When we got
within a mile of the town we started on a gallop and charged
through the streets. The rebels had been there, but had left a
short time before we arrived. We went some distance past the
town and captured some straggling rebels, whom we brought back
and locked up in the jail. We also found some sick and wounded
rebels in a hospital. We were, indeed, a dirty-looking set when we
got through with that, our first charge. The roads were very
dusty, and we were completely covered. The dust was on so
thick that one Comrade could not tell v/ho the other was. We
halted in Hagerstown long enough to wash and get some of the
dust ofif our clothes. Then the citizens came out with eatables,
to which we did full justice. The girls came around and pinned
a bouquet on each blue jacket. There were lots of pretty girls
there, and they were not shy either.

5

66 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

From Hagerstown we went scouting through the country, find-
ing out what the rebels were doing and where they were trying to
get to. We kept this up for a couple of days, and then joined the
army assembled at Antietam. The battle was then on. We were
stationed on the field, in the rear of the line of battle, and close
enough to have bullets sing over our heads and shells to burst in
front an*d rear and over us. Our chief duty seemed to be to pre-
vent straggling from the front.

It was here that I saw for the first time a man dead on the field
of battle. He belonged to one of the New York Fire Zouave regi-
ments. He had crawled to a puddle of water, by the side of the
road, and died there. Then came the first wounded man, who
belonged to the same regiment. He was walking back to the
rear. He had been shot through both cheeks, and the front of his
uniform was covered with blood. It soon got to be so frequent a
sight that it hardly attracted my attention.

Toward evening our column was formed, and we marched to
Dam No. 4 on the Potomac, where we crossed the canal and
marched down between the canal and the river. About midnight
we crossed, under the canal, through an archway, and continued
the march until near morning, when we halted at a farmhouse, and
camped in the barnyard and field.

The next day we marched to Jones' crossroads, and laid there
all day. That night a party was sent out scouting toward the
battlefield. About midnight, as we were riding along the road,
we were suddenly fired into by a company of infantry. We
wheeled about and got out of there as fast as we could. Captain
Tintsman's horse was killed, which, fortunately, was the only
casualty. We found out the next day that it was a company of
our men, on picket, that fired into us. They did not look for any-
thing but rebels from the direction we were coming, and had
orders to fire without challenging. At the National Encampment
at Minneapolis, in 1884, I met one of the men who was on picket
with that company, and he gave me a full account of it. He said
they challenged us twice, but we did not halt, so they fired on us.

As we were in our own country, our reception by the citizens
was all that we could ask. We were fed abundantly, and Govern-
ment rations were at a discount.

The battle of Antietam being over, we were ordered back to

Our First Campaign. 67

our camp at Carlisle. We marched through Hagerstown and
Greencastle. At the latter town we met the Gray Reserves of
Philadelphia, and found many acquaintances in the regiment. At
Chambersburg we turned in our horses and took the cars for
Carlisle, where we resumed our drills. We had been in camp
but a few days when it was reported that the rebels were again near
Chambersburg. Two companies were ordered to get ready to
march. Rations and ammunition were issued. We marched to
the depot and took the cars for Newville, where we found we
were to be stationed. A strong picket post was placed about half
a mile from town, at a bridge on the railroad, with a wagon road
passing underneath. We blockaded the track with ties, rails and
logs, so that if a train did come down it would be thrown off the
bridge. We then built a large fire, lining the fence behind the fire
with cornstalks, to keep off the wind, and were fixed for the night.
Quite a number of citizens were driving along the wagon road,
and we asked each one as they passed to bring us something to
eat, and by night we had more eatables than we could dispose of
in a week.

Shortly after dark a relief was sent out to us, but we declined
to be relieved, and sent them back. The next morning the relief
came out again, and this time we had to accept them and go back
to town, where we found the two companies quartered in the depot,
with more eatables than they could take care of. After cleaning
ourselves up, blacking our boots and putting on clean collars, a
squad of us started out to see the town. We found everybody very
friendly and anxious to do all they could for our comfort. We
received many invitations to dinner, and finally accepting one,
went to the house of our host, where we found dinner all ready
for us. Just as we had taken our seats at the table the bugle
sounded the assembly, so we had to leave that good dinner, much
to the disappointment of the family and ourselves. We returned
to the depot, and, after waiting about an hour, a train came and
took us back to Carlisle.

During the latter part of October we were busy preparing a
new camp on the opposite side of the town from the barracks.
We finally got the ground cleared and the wall tents up in good
shape. Most of the tents had board floors, bunks and stoves. We
expected to stay there all winter and were fixed for comfort.
This camp was named "Camp Buell."

68 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

November 7, 1862. We received orders to-day to get ready to
break up our camp. After a great deal of trouble we got every-
thing packed and were ready. The band from the barracks came
over and we marched to town in a heavy snowstorm, got to the
depot and found the train was late. We waited there six hours
before it was ready.

Then came many affectionate partings, as nearly every man
had formed some close friendships among the citizens, more espe-
cially the young ladies. At last we pulled out from Carlisle, and
for many of us it was forever.

At Pittsburg we changed cars, first marching to the Soldiers'
Refreshment Saloon, where we got a fine supper. Our train
was in three sections. The boys would crowd into the first
section, ride to the next town, get off and wait there for the
last section.

We arrived at Louisville, Ky., on the loth, and found our camp
was a mile from town, on the L. & N. R. R. We got there at
last and busied ourselves in putting up tents and getting the camp
in shape. We had a fine time here; were permitted to go into
town frequently, so we did not abuse the privilege. There was a
large Government mule corral near our camp, and the songs
these birds sang every night will never be forgotten.

We finally drew our horses and full equipment. Then came
the drills. Morning and afternoon it was pounded into us, until
we began to be cavalrymen. Then came the dress parade, in town,
on Broad Street — the most fashionable residence street. The citi-
zens came in crowds to see the Anderson Cavalry.

We were in camp in Louisville nearly a month, when one day
orders were received to march to Nashville, Tenn. Tents were
struck, the wagons loaded, and on December 8th we bade good-bye
to Louisville, and started on our first trip into the Confederacy.
It was reported that the rebel General Morgan and his command
were somewhere between Louisville and Nashville. We marched
to Bowling Green and went into camp, expecting to stay there
some time. Our first night in Bowling Green was spent on the
grounds of some prominent citizen, who did not want any Yankees
on his plantation, so he went to headquarters and entered com-
plaint, and orders were issued for us to move our camp to the
other side of town. This was done in one of the hardest rains we

Our First Campaign. 69

were ever caught in. When we arrived at the new camp we found
it in a ploughed field. The mud was awful. It was simply im-
possible to put up tents. We tied our horses to trees or anything
we could find to tie to. The men could not lie on the ground, so
the most of them went into a large cave and put in the night there.
I was fortunate in getting into an old barn with a lot of the men.
They built a fire on the floor and sat up to watch it, so it would not
burn the building. I found a wheat trough full of wheat, spread
my bed on that and turned in. Just before I got to sleep Sergeant
Pattison came to the door and called my name. I did not want to
go out that night, so kept quiet. He did not find me. The next
morning I found him. He asked me where I was last night; I
told him I slept in the old barn. He said, "I called you there, but
you did not answer ; I wanted you to go on picket." I told him I
was probably asleep.

The rebel General Morgan and his command were reported at
Glascow, and a portion of the Regiment was ordered to scout
there for information. We started about sundown and marched
all night. It was very cold, and we had to halt every three or four
miles and build fires and thaw out. About daylight we charged
into Glascow, and found that Morgan and sixty men had been
there, but had left suddenly about an hour before we arrived.
After feeding and resting our horses, we marched back to Bowling
Green.

It was at this place I received the only promotion I received dur-
ing my service. I was detailed as Lance Corporal, in charge of
orderHes, to Brigadier-General Smith, in command at Bowling
Green, and continued in that position until we arrived at Nash-
ville, when I resumed my rank of high private.

Our march to Nashville was resumed, and at 2 p.m.^ December
24, 1862, we reached the Cumberland River, opposite the city, and
crossed the river on a pontoon bridge, the other bridges having
been burned by the rebels. We paraded through the streets and
then marched to our camp, about two miles south of the city. We
found the grounds well adapted for camping, with the exception
of fences for fuel, but our wagons coming up, we soon had the
camp in shape.

December 25th, Christmas — the first one I ever passed away
from home. My Christmas dinner was served in four courses :

70 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

1st. Beans, boiled.

2d. Salt pork, boiled.

3d. Hard-tack.

4th. Coffee ; no cream.

In the morning a foraging party was sent out for corn for the
horses. They went about ten miles from town, when they were
attacked by rebel cavalry. They had a brisk little fight ; one man
of Company F was killed. The party returned to camp, bringing
all the wagons and the forage.

As this brings us to the Stone River campaign, I will leave that
for some other Comrade.

SERGEANT BETTS AND OLD COMPANY E.

SERG. SIMEON LORD, COMPANY E, PHILADELPHIA.

SOME personalities lastingly impress others. I do not think
that Sergeant Betts could have been more than twenty-four
years old when he took charge of us, and, by the usual rule,
he should have had a hard time governing a hundred boys, whose
ages did not average over twenty years, but he did not. There
was something about him which drew the respect and obedience
of his Company, and his orders were carried out not so much
because they were orders, but because Sergeant Betts had told us.

He was not a martinet or a blusterer. He never lost his temper,
and I do not recall an instance of his punishing a man. Somehow
we got along without it, and a feeling grew among the men that
it was not so much that we belonged to Company E as that Com-
pany E belonged to us, and we tried to make it the best of the lot.

Sergeant Betts was earnest and thorough in all that he did, and
had the faculty of inspiring us with that feeling. He had been an
officer in the Blue Reserve at home, and for a time was in the
Quartermaster's Department of the Army of the Potomac, under
Colonel Tolles, who was afterward killed by Mosby's men;
therefore the drill was not altogether new to him. Those old
regulars who instructed us at Carlisle were past masters in the
art, and made us one of the best drilled regiments in the service.
Company E was the first to dispense with their services, and
Sergeant Betts most ably filled the position, and the Company was
never better drilled or drilled better than when he gave the orders.

It was after we got to Louisville that Lieutenant John W. Jack-
son came to us as our permanent Commander. We had several
temporary Commanders before, but the real Commander of our
Company was Sergeant Betts. The temporary officers usually
took us out on dress parade. One of them, who must have been
unduly impressed, issued his first command on taking charge :
"Gentlemen, carry arms, please."

71

72 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

We had some trouble at Nashville. The officers we had were
not of that positive character who carry out orders under all
circumstances, and when the command came to get ready to
march many of the boys refused to go, and the commissioned
officers failed in their duty. I shall always remember Sergeant
Betts, then in the full flush of his tall, slender young manhood, as
he stood in front of his Company announcing to us that "General
Rosecrans wants the Anderson Cavalry at the front, and I am
going."

With his eyes appealing to us and face wreathed with that ever-
pleasant magnetic smile, now set with a fixed determination, it
gave us the first true index of the soldier in him, and old Company
E at once remembered its duty and followed its Sergeant.

Our Sergeant was too good a man for such a subordinate posi-
tion, and at the reorganization of the Regiment, three months later,
he was made a Captain. At the "retreat" call of March 3, 1863,
he called the roll of the Company for the last time, and then told
us the changes. He said many pleasant things, which I cannot
now recall, but we forgot to wait for the order to "break ranks,"
and when he finished three hearty cheers were given for our
friend, Capt. Chas. M. Betts.

A PRIVATE FORAGING PARTY AT BOWLING GREEN
WHICH FAILED.

CHAS. M. BROUGH, COMPANY A, OGDEN, UTAH.

THE overland march of the Anderson Cavalry from Louis-
ville to Nashville, in the late fall of 1862, will be remem-
bered by most of the Troopers, certainly by all the original
members of the ten companies of our Regiment. Outside of the
daily routine of guard mount, picket duty and such other duties,
nothing occurred to upset the even tenor of our march until our
approach to Bowling Green, Ky., when a terrific rain storm set
in, continuing for several days. We got in camp about dark, and
made such preparations as would insure as good a night's sleep as
possible, and then began a "gum-boot" search for stray chickens
roosting low, or belated pigs that hadn't found home when the
curfew rang.

The commanding officer had issued stringent orders forbidding
all foraging, and enforced them, too, as you will see from what
follows. I was then a member of old Company E, and, as quite
a number of the boys in that Company were from the country,
they were not afraid of a goose or a chicken biting them, so four
of us set out on a night prowl to find something to take the place
of hard-tack and bacon. In the darkness we caught a glimpse of
the outlines of a big house and a bigger barn ahead of us, and in a
little while we stumbled on a nest of "porkers," all huddled up,
snoozing. As each one of us had a dirk or hunting knife hung on
our belts, we soon had one of the "grunters" by the heels. One of
the boys held his snout, another held him down, and another sent
the dirk home until the last squeak had been uttered and died
away. We thought he was a legitimate spoil of war, and pro-
ceeded to "tote" him to camp, where we arrived safely with our
plunder.

Just how to manage so as not to be caught was the question,
and we decided to put him in one of the wagons until morning,

73

74 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

and then skin him and divide him up for the next day's breakfast
and supper. Shortly after reveille had sounded, the farmer was
on hand with his tale of woe to the commanding officer, and soon
an inquiry was begun by every Company Commander to find out
who the "boodlers" were. We were in a tight place, and, as a
cover, put the hog in a big washboiler that our Company cook
used to make coffee in, and there he rested all day until the camp
was made for the night. The detail was made as usual to carry the
w^ater to make coffee, and as all the officers were on the watch for
fresh pork smell, the water was poured in on the hog, the coffee
put in also and all cooked together.

Of course, not one of our Company took coffee that evening, but
when the officer of the night came along and with his tincup
dipped in our washboiler for a cup of cofTee, he got it with
whiskers and bristles and at the same time struck something tan-
gible. On investigation he found the hog, and we were compelled
to pay in the neighborhood of twenty dollars for the grunter, and
then didn't get any of the meat. Later on, however, these strict
orders (while always in existence) were winked at and never
literally enforced, for, after a few years of service, everybody
realized that "war was hell," as General Sherman expressed it,
and foraging, when necessity required, was more or less legiti-
mate.

But, be it said to the credit of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania
Cavalry, they never wantonly destroyed property or took anything
not absolutely needed, and in the line of something to eat.

THE CHRISTMAS FORAGING EXPEDITION IN 1862.

ARTHUR O. GRANGER^ CO. C, CARTERSVILLE, GA.

ON December 25, 1862, the day after the Regiment arrived
at Nashville, twenty men were called for from our Com-
pany E to go on a foraging expedition, and I was one of
the number who volunteered. There were also squads from the
other companies, the whole under the command of Captain Vezin.

We took all of the wagons belonging to our Regiment and
joined a large train of about 100 wagons, with an escort from a
Tennessee regiment. About nine miles out we halted, near a large
corn field, and the mounted men were put on picket duty in differ-
ent directions, while the infantry loaded the fodder into the
wagons. I was in Corp. Chas. H. Kirk's squad, along a narrow
road to the left of the pike.

I had been on picket an hour or so, when I was relieved and rode
back to the farmhouse, where I found a late Christmas dinner
going on the table. I told the lady of the house that I would dine
with them, and went out on the back porch to wash up and get
ready for a square meal. Just then I heard a volley of rifle shots,
and, regretting to miss the feast, I ran through the kitchen and
seized a long-handled skillet at the back of the stove, and, holding
up the tail of my overcoat, flopped the big, hot "johnnycake" into
it, and that was all of the Christmas dinner I got. I jumped on
my horse and soon joined our men on the pike. The rebels were
coming over a low hill and down toward the corn field and seemed
to outnumber us. We retired along the pike a short distance,
when, under the inspiration of Albert Coleman, of Company E,
we were drawn up in line near a blacksmith shop and held the
enemy in check; there was very sharp firing for a while. The
w^agons were getting out of the field and started down the pike
on a full run.

One of our men was mortally wounded, Martin L. Hill, of
Company F, being shot through the temples. He was a bright,

75

76 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

talented young man, and was a student at Washington and Jeffer-
son College, leaving there to join our Regiment. He was the first
of our boys killed after we went West. H. C. Fry, of Company
B, and some others moved him into the blacksmith shop and placed
him on a quilt borrowed from a colored family near by. The
wagons having gone on toward Nashville, he was left there in the
shop. Later, I think a detail, under Lieutenant Musselman, went
out and buried the brave soldier boy beside the road.

The command lost two wagons, but brought off all the rest,
loaded with corn, fodder, etc.

Shortly after noon a man in citizen's clothes had been to Cor-
poral Kirk's post and asked to pass through the lines to see a sick
daughter. He was refused and wandered off, getting out to one
of the videttes and telling him he had the Corporal's permission.
The green cavalryman passed him, although against orders. In
less than an hour the attack came, and no doubt that man carried
the information to the enemy.

DEATH OF MARTIN L HILL.

CORPORAL H. C. FRY, COMPANY B, ROCHESTER, PA.

I WAS one of the train guards on Christmas afternoon of 1862,
and was posted at a point near the woods (with Comrades John
M. Davis and Wm. Wassell, of Company F), about a thou-
sand yards beyond the blacksmith shop on the pike. M. Hill and
two other Comrades, also of Company F, were at a point farther
south, I think near a turnip patch.

Just as the larger number of loaded wagons had pulled out into
the road from a corn field nearly opposite to where I was posted,
the alarm was given that rebel cavalry was approaching and the
wagons were hurried off with all possible speed, and all succeeded
in getting out. The infantry guard took refuge on the wagons.
Our pickets remained with carbines ready. In an incredibly short
time after the last wagon had entered the road, rebel cavalry ap-
peared on a run, coming through the woods directly toward us,
not five hundred feet distant. We emptied our carbines as fast as
we could fire and reload ; two or three others of our Regiment com-
ing up at the same time began firing. One rebel was unhorsed,
coming to the ground less than one hundred feet in our front. I
think his horse was wounded or killed.

John M. Davis was on my left and urged bis horse forward to
the rebel, yelling, "Surrender !" He held up his hands at once.
Davis started with his prisoner down the pike after the wagons,
which were by this time several hundred yards away, going at a
gallop. The rebels had suddenly pulled up and turned, and we
imagined for a moment they were scared away. Just at this in-
stant one of our men came galloping back, shouting, "Hurry ! you
are being surrounded." Then we also started on a gallop down the
pike in the direction the wagons had taken. I happened to be the
last of our picket, and when down the hill nearing the blacksmith
shop I noticed the rebels half way through a narrow corn field on
my right nearly opposite the blacksmith shop, 300 or 400 feet

/S History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

away, rushing for the road. I was loading and firing at them
beyond a narrow strip of woods which appeared to be full of them ;
the rebels in sight firing at every horseman as he passed the open.
Just before reaching the blacksmith shop m.y horse reared and fell
to his knees, shot in the neck, I think. I went off head foremost,
falling on the side of the road at least five or six feet below the
pike level, but was unhurt. I held on to all my arms, but expected
in a minute to be in the hands of the rebels, who were galloping,
shooting at us, through the low corn. Springing to my feet I went
as fast as possible to the shop. I stepped behind the large door, on
the timber sill, where I could see the road. My horse had regained
his feet and followed up the road before I was on my feet. Just
as I looked out from my perch I saw M. L. Hill coming down the
road on a run, his carbine held up in his right hand. I also noticed
at this moment that several rebel horsemen had reached the fence
at the road and were deliberately aiming at him. A rebel riding
a white horse fired after a deliberate aim, hitting Hill in the right
temple, the bullet passing through his head. He raised both arms
and fell from his horse. He was quickly surrounded by the rebels,
who dismounted, and cutting his belt took all his arms and joined
perhaps thirty or forty others who had come into the road.

The majority remained in the field, going in the direction of the
wagons. Two rode into the blacksmith shop, one saying, "Where
is the 'feller' we knocked off the other horse?" The other said,
"Not here ; hurry !" They were gone in a moment, and in less than
half a minute came on a fast gallop past the shop again, and with
them I recognized the prisoner John M. Davis had taken, but who
it appears had been rescued by his comrades in the confusion. One
or two stopped and caught Hill's horse, which the escaped prisoner
mounted.

In probably less than five minutes from the time Hill fell they
had disappeared. I ran out to where he lay, and found a death
wound. I tried to get him to drink from my canteen, but his jaws
were firmly set and he seemed unconscious, but struggled and
moaned. From the little cottage nearby, inhabited by negroes,
who were standing in the door like a lot of frightened sheep, I
ordered some hot water. I thought that I could perhaps get his
jaws relaxed so that he could open his mouth and speak. At first
the negroes refused, saying the Confederates would shortly return

Death of Martin L. Hill. 7,9

and kill them if they helped. Taking my revolver, I said: ''Very
well ; you either help me with this man or you will die before they
return." This had the desired effect, and both men and women
came quickly, bringing- water, a quilt, and offering anything they
possessed. I moved him into the blacksmith shop and laid him
comfortably on a quilt and again tried to revive him. Finding it
useless I gave instructions to the negroes to remain on pain of
death and not leave him a moment, and started on foot with all
my arms toward Nashville, a distance of ten miles, if I rightly
remember.

After going less than half a mile, however, it being nearly
dark, I was halted by a returning squad of our Regiment, who I
think were acting as rear guard to the teams, returning to find us.
One of my comrades very kindly insisted upon my mount-
ing his horse, relieving me every few minutes, until our camp at
Nashville was reached. Martin L.Hill died a few hours later with-
out regaining consciousness, and was buried near there. His body
was afterward removed to his home at Miamisburg,Ohio. He had
been a student at Washington and Jefferson College, Washington,
Pa., when he enlisted. The few little trinkets in his pockets I re-
moved and sent to his home with the sad news as to how he died.
I received a letter of thanks from his sister, who stated that an-
other brother had been killed on a gunboat on one of the lower
rivers, and the sad news of both deaths was received on the same
day. Comrade Hill was the first man killed in the Regiment after
reaching the Army of the Cumberland.

There were close calls for a number of our men that afternoon.
Comrade H. W. Esbenshade, who was Sergeant of Company C,
was on one of the outposts, and after all but four wagons were
loaded with corn saw the rebels come pouring down ; the wagons
got out and he put spurs to his horse. One rebel on a white horse
pursued him so closely that the nose of the pursuer's horse was
almost touching his horse's tail. Notwithstanding the closeness of
pursuer and pursued, none of the shots which the rebel fired took
effect. Comrade Esbenshade's horse on reaching the reserve began
to bleed at the nose as a result of the fierce ride and died a few
davs after.

FIFTEENTH PENNSYLVANIA (ANDERSON)
CA\^\LRY AT STONE RIVER.

ADJUTANT J. C. REIFF, NEW YORK.

WE received our first mount at Louisville, Ky., and marched
thence to Nashville, Tenn., reaching there on the even-
ing of Wednesday, December 24, 1862. Thursday, De-
cember 25th (Christmas) the Regiment remained in camp about
one and a half miles from the city, but details were sent out as
escort to a forage train and had a fight with the rebels. Friday,
the 26th, was cold and dreary with a drizzling rain. The whole
army was in motion for the Stone River campaign. About ii
A.M. a detachment of the Regiment started, in all about 300 men.
A portion was detailed to escort a wagon train. The balance,
some 200 men, reached General Rosecrans' headquarters at night
on the Nolansville pike, but without the wagons. The detach-
ment was in command of Major Adolph Rosengarten, the Senior
Major, with Junior Major Frank B. Ward second in command.
Lieutenant-Colonel Spencer was too ill to take the saddle, but
occupied an ambulance, while Colonel Palmer was still a prisoner
of war, having been captured in the Antietam campaign in Sep-
tember, 1862, while on a special mission, seekmg to get information
for General McClellan. The detachment reported directly to
General D. S. Stanley, Chief of Cavalry, on the staff of General
Rosecrans.

We were ordered to be ready to move at daylight. There was
active skirmishing all day Friday, the cavalry being well in ad-
•vance, with some artillery. The enemy gradually fell back and
we bivouacked at night near the pike beyond. The detachment
was highly complimented for its conduct during the day, fighting
both mounted and on foot.

The special incident of the day was an extremely exciting and
well-nigh mortal combat engaged in by a six-foot rebel and
Major Rosengarten. I had been riding with the Major, but had
80

>rA.I()R ADOLPH «;. ROSEX(iARTEN

Kiiled at Stone River, December 29. 1862

Fifteenth Pennsylvania CazKilry at Stone River. 8i

become separated from him. When I found him I was astonished
to see him pale, exhausted and bleeding. After leaving me he
had hurried into the woods to reconnoiter, meeting a single rebel,
who fired at him but missed at twenty yards, to which fire the
Major replied with his pistol, and ordered him to surrender.
This the rebel, who was dismounted, promised to do, and the
Major rode up to receive his arms. When in the act of sur-
rendering the rebel suddenly struck the Major a tremendous
blow over the left shoulder with his gun. The man was six feet
high and strongly built. The Major was also a very muscular
man and a scientific boxer. • He sprang from his horse, at the
same time aiming another shot at the fellow, but the pistol
snapped. He then clutched and struck out with his fist. They
grappled, and in the tussle the rebel, being the heavier, got on top,
the Major, however, still retaining a good grip on the fellow's
throat. Both were becoming somewhat weakened, when the rebel
put his knee on the Major's breast, and seizing his saber aimed
for his throat. The blow was turned aside by the Major, who at
the same time dealt the rebel a couple of good blows on the temple
with the butt of his pistol, crying out as lustily as possible for
"Anderson ! Anderson ! Help ! help !" Washington Airey, our
Sergeant-Major, hearing the cry thought Lieutenant Anderson
was being called, therefore, he paid no attention to the noise.
Airey had been on the hill and was going toward the left near
the turnpike, when looking through the woods, he saw a man on
the ground and another apparently helping him. Thinking that
a rebel had been wounded and another was getting him off the
field, he hurried forward to capture both, when to his surprise he
recognized the Major on the ground. He seized the fellow, who
was not inclined to loose his hold, by the back of the neck and
pulled him off. He was then about to fight both, but on Airey's
threatening to shoot, he surrendered.

The rebel said : "I have had hold of some good men, but that
one (the Major) is a Httle bit the best man I have ever had hold
of." I neglected to say what caused the flow of blood. When
this chap found things were growing tight, he undertook to bite
the Major's finger off, and he well-nigh accomplished it; so the
Major turned to help himself to a steak from the enemy's cheek,
consequently it was a "stand-off."

6

82 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Owing to the excitement and exertion following the hand-to-
hand conflict the Major was compelled to go to the rear for a
rest, and we did not see him until the next morning.

Notwithstanding the fact that our chief officer did go to the
rear, we skirmishers were for some time still ordered to advance.
The artillery now felt their way by shelling the front of the enemy
at each good position. The Regiment pushed forward, but we saw
nothing of the enemy until we arrived in sight of Triune. We
were here ordered to halt, and, after some reconnoitering, found
the enemy — infantry, artillery and cavalry — posted at right angles
to the turnpike on the right of the town, and fully three-quarters
of a mile distant. The enemy noticing our halt, took courage and
threw a few shells at us, all of which fell short.

When Major Rosengarten went to the rear we had seen noth-
ing of our flanking parties either on the right or left, and being
so near the enemy, who appeared in force, we naturally felt anx-
ious for them. Seeing some cavalry posted on our immediate
right and apparently resting, I was sent toward them to find out
who they were, and discovered that fortunately our right flanking
party was among the number. Looking to the front from that
position we saw a large force in line behind a stone fence, which
could be commanded by artillery from the woods. I was sent to
the pike to communicate with the Lieutenant commanding the
battery there, who asked for any information I might have. I
acquainted him as near as possible with the enemy's position,
and others coming up corroborated my statement. A section of
artillery thereupon was sent to the right to await orders.

Meanwhile, the General had reached an eminence on the left
to reconnoiter. Some eight pieces of artillery were on the ascent,
commencing at the pike to the left. Shortly afterward all our
guns opened fire and the range was splendid, forcing the enemy's
infantry back. Under the artillery fire our infantry advanced, and
suddenly out of ambush sprang the Third Ohio Infantry and
charged the rebel battery. There being no cavalry near enough
to aid them, however, the rebels succeeded in limbering up and
getting away. We now moved forward, and passing through the
town, which was situated on a hill, found it completely deserted.
At the bottom of the hill ran a stream, crossed by a bridge which
the enemy had destroyed but an hour before. It was now raining

Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry at Stone River. 83

very heavily. We had not gone more than a mile, with General
Johnson in front of us, when the enemy suddenly turned their
battery upon us at about 600 or 700 yards. This, however, did
not accomplish anything, as they quickly limbered up again and
continued their retreat.

We moved forward about three-quarters of a mile and took up
a position in face of another hill. Scouting parties were sent
down the road, but could see nothing of the enemy, although they
had crossed the hill not more than twenty minutes before we ar-
rived. There was a heavy wood covering the road on the right,
on which side the hill was the most rugged, and in which it was
thought the enemy had concealed themselves. We now learned
that it was not intended on our part to institute any big or
thorough search for them further that day. It was now about
half-past three or four o'clock, dull and rainy, and considering
everything we had covered a good deal of ground since morning,
and men and horses were both tired and hungry.

We reported to General Stanley, Commander-in-Chief of Rose-
crans' Cavalry, who ordered us to feed our horses as near as pos-
sible to where we then were, and to be on the alert for an immedi-
ate move. He said : "Tell the officers and men of the Anderson
Cavalry that I am more than pleased with them; that they have
been during the entire day and are now just where I wanted
and want them." He repeated : "Tell the Anderson Cavalry I am
extremely pleased with their behavior to-day."

It is needless to say that we felt proud that we had been enabled
to so demean ourselves in the face of the enemy as to merit from
such high authority repeated compliments. We bivouacked that
night in a field nearby, where we found plenty of excellent forage
for our horses, but nothing for ourselves. The only thing we
could do was to capture a few pigs and some stray sheep, that
would not keep out of our way. . So we had a little toast pork and
mutton for supper.

Sunday morning found us still resting there, having been un-
disturbed, but enveloped in a dense fog through which we could
not see more than fifteen or twenty yards. About half-past 8
A.M., we received orders to move on, and in less than half an
hour the mist suddenly disappeared, driven away by a pleasant
breeze, leaving us in a spring-like atmosphere. After proceeding

84 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

about three miles we came up to the force in our advance, which
was turning to the left toward Murfreesboro. Here we met
Major Rosengarten, who had sufficiently recovered to accom-
pany us, and not knowing where we had encamped, had pushed
on down the road with these troops, expecting to meet us. We
were glad to see him so much improved. We were ordered to
keep to the pike, and a few miles further found us on the ground
where Hardee's entire corps (the rebel left wing) had encamped
the day before. This was at a place called College Grove, and
they had told the people they intended making a stand, but
Hardee and his men had gone toward Murfreesboro.

After scouting the country for six to nine miles our force was
collected where we had first halted. Our own men were alone ;
no other Union troops were in sight. We halted until about 3
p.M.^ when we were to meet our wagon train and the guard
that had come up from Nolansville. Pushing back we found our
encampment already selected and some tents up in the woods on
the right of the pike near Harpeth Creek, and here we spent
the most happy evening of the campaign. During the evening
the woods resounded with sweet sounds from glad voices. The
principal party was one which had furnished us frequently with
splendid selections. It was a quartette made up of Major F. B.
Ward, who sang his last song; Captain A. Vezin, Sergeant Oscar
Vezin and H. P. Riehle. Everyone looked forward with bright
anticipations to the future of our little band, prompted somewhat
by the success of the day previous. We turned in before 9 p.m.,
as we had already received orders to march at earliest dawn on
the following morning.

Monday, December 29, found our line formed and the wagons
loaded. After proceeding a short distance, General Stanley
ordered us to send our entire train, excepting the ammunition
wagon and one ambulance, back to Nolansville, to be parked with
other extra wagons that were not allowed to follow us at present
lest they should interfere with the rapid movements of the army.
Turning to the right, this side of Triune, out of which we had
driven the enemy two days before, we found ourselves in company
with the division and train of General Jeff. C. Davis, the whole
of which we passed by about 10 or 11 o'clock a.m. The road
exceeded anything I have ever seen for roughness. It was a per-

Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry at Stone River. 85

feet stone fence — on an enlarged scale, of course — with rocks
piled in huge masses, winding first through a deep ravine, then
through dense cedar woods, and ever and anon we were climbing
steep hills, over which it seemed artillery could not be hauled.
Notwithstanding every difficulty, the rumbling of those heavy
guns was heard at the front at dusk that evening as we were fall-
ing back.

Leaving the infantry and artillery in the morning we joined
the cavalry force, consisting of sorne 3000 or 4000 Ohio, In-
diana and Michigan men. On arriving near where the enemy
was known to be posted, the force was assigned to different
positions from right to left, stretching over about a mile of
ground. We were to take the center, supported by Colonel
Stokes, of the First Middle Tennessee Regiment. We were
ordered to advance, throwing out skirmishers to carefully feel
our way. Major Ward commanded the skirmishers and Major
Rosengarten the reserve of our little band of 300. After about
an hour's movement, on foot and mounted, without finding the
enemy, the brigade on our right commenced firing, which told
us they had at last met those whom we were seeking. In the
center we could see nothing as yet.

Shortly, however, an orderly arrived from the right, telling us
to halt and when we again moved to incline to the right, as two
regiments of the enemy were said to be waiting in our front to
take us in ambuscade. Consequently our skirmishers were
called in, we remounted, and after a time moved on. Soon we
saw, at about 800 yards distance, the rebel cavalry drawn
up in line of battle. Our line moved forward and the enemy
retired. We hurried on, although they halted in a wood some
distance off. Our left coming up with a little boldness, they
again retreated ; but as it afterward proved, it was only to draw
us on. We were soon on their pickets and captured some prison-
ers, including a Brigade Surgeon and a Major, who was Assist-
ant-Adjutant General on General Cheatham's staff. The name
of the Surgeon was Lackey and he gave his home as Memphis,
Tenn., so he told his captor, John F. Conaway, who took him to
the rear. One of his first questions was what Regiment had cap-
tured him, and when told and also that his guard was a Phila-
delphian, he seemed delighted; told of his having gone to the

86 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

University here and named a whole lot of citizens he knew, and
asked : "Is that big yellow house still standing at Broad and
Walnut? and added, "I've had many a good time in it."

Meanwhile the detachment, under Major Ward, pushed rapidly
forward, and soon engaged with the enemy. They advanced
about 600 yards — to where the pike passes through the woods
— and halted. Some of our flanking parties, following up the
retreating cavalry through the woods, came to the fence, and
Samuel Jamison, Warren Caldwell and John K. Marshall jumped
their horses through a gap, and immediately were in the midst
of Company A, Tenth South Carolina Infantry, who had been
advanced from their division, but whose attention had been
directed toward their right, where the movements of Ward's
detachment could be heard but not seen.

It was a surprise, but from which the rebels soon recovered,
fired on Caldwell and Marshall, who escaped through the gap in
the fence. Jamison was knocked off his horse by the butt of a
musket and taken prisoner, but five minutes later, in the confu-
sion of the rebel infantry coming up, he escaped. Marshall had
picked up a prisoner soon after his escape, and with him hurried
over to where Ward and his detachment were halting on the
pike. The first ofiticer he saw was Lieut. John W. Jackson,
and to him he yelled : "Come on, Lieutenant ! there's plenty more
in there," and then the whole detachment, at a gallop, went
quickly up to the fence, behind which the rebels were.

The first shots that had been fired had alarmed the rebel in-
fantry in the rear, who reinforced their advance; so that by the
time Major Ward and his men reached the point it was to meet
a long line of infantry securely posted, with a high stake-and-
rider fence protecting them from being run over by our men.
So sudden had been our appearance that it confused them, and
although their musketry fire was heavy, it was not destructive,
even when our men were up to the fence, firing carbines and re-
volvers at the enemy not over ten feet away.

Major Ward was the first man hit on our side. He wore that
day the ordinary blouse of a private soldier, and carried a car-
bine. The fatal ball pierced his left breast near the heart, coming
out below his shoulder blade. His horse was shot at the same
time, and, supported by two of the men, he walked to the rear.

Fifteenth Peivisylvania Cavalry at Stone River. 87

out of the line of fire, and then sank to the ground. Our As-
sistant Surgeon, Dr. Mish, bathed his wound and tried to lessen
the excruciating pain he suffered. Even the pain could not
quench his martial spirit, for he still cheered on the men in a
weak and feeble voice, which a few moments before had been so
strong and lusty.

Back at the fence the battle still continued. From the close
range it is a wonder that so few were hit, but the rebels had not
yet recovered and most of their shooting was too high ; so grad-
ually we concluded that it was not possible to drive our foe, sit-
uated as they were, and our line fell back further in the woods,
but still kept up the firing.

It was then that Major Rosengarten's battalion appeared.
They had been following up Ward's party, but had gone farther
down the pike toward Murfreesboro, and when the musketry
got heavy, indicating a severe engagement, they were faced to
the right, details threw down the fence and the battalion went
forward on the charge with "advanced carbine." This was done
in plain sight of the enemy, who, in addition to being prepared to
receive them, was continually reinforced from the rebel line of
battle, which was just in the rear. Resting their guns on the
third and fourth rail of the fence, their aim was more destructive
than it had been, and the losses among Rosengarten's men ex-
ceeded that in Ward's. The fact that a large part of the former's
line of battle was in the open field, in plain sight, and the rebels
being no longer so confused, as they had been at Major Ward's
sudden attack, accounts for the greater loss. The first volley
killed Major Rosengarten and also Colonel Palmer's horse, "Zolli-
coffer," a blooded black, known to all the men, which the Major
was riding. Seven balls pierced the Major. The horse was riddled
with bullets. His fall did not dampen the ardor of his men, who
kept up the fight, supported by those of Major Ward's party who
were about retiring but advanced again when Rosengarten came
on the field. But the odds were too unequal, and gradually all
fell back out of range.

The loss of both Majors was a severe blow to the Regiment
and a personal loss to me. Since leaving Louisville we had been
thrown closely together, and it was not possible to know either
of them intimately without learning to love them. When Major

88 History of the Fifteenth Pcniisyhania' Cavalry.

Rosengarten rejoined us the previous day, as we rode together
that beautiful Sunday morning, I recall the fact that he was very
much depressed. He told me that he could not shake off the
feeling that he would not survive the coming battle, and the next
night he lay a sacrifice to his country, called for in the suppression
of the most unjustifiable rebellion ever incited by wicked men.

By order of General Stanley the Regiment had gone to the rear
a short distance. Just as we were being properly re-formed, with
Captain Norman M. Smith in command, an orderly arrived say-
ing Major Ward wished me to come to him. I hurried back and
found him, as he himself thought, in a dying condition. He was
conscious of his condition and expressed himself satisfied with
having done his duty, and said he was willing to die.

Just before this the Surgeon had gone, with two other men,
under a flag of truce, to attend the wounded, some of whom were
raising the most piteous cries I ever heard. I remained under
flag of truce, as we were in sight of the enemy. Shortly the Gen-
eral sent word ordering all to the rear except myself. I was to
remain with the Major until an ambulance could be procured.
As we were in danger of being captured, I sent my saber and
pistol back, so that they should not get into the hands of the
enemy, even if I did. It was the wish of the Major that I remain
with him, he asking for me whenever he woke up from his semi-
conscious state. About half-past 4 an ambulance arrived, and we
succeeded in getting the Major away and sent him to General
McCook's headquarters, some three miles in the rear.

I had become entirely separated from the Regiment, but soon
found my old Company B, which had lately arrived, having
been left behind on duty. The Regiment, under the command of
Captain Smith, had previous to this, in compliance with orders,
fallen back, and it then being dark, and we being unable to find
them, our Company bivouacked alone that night.

The next morning, Tuesday, we found our boys not more than
800 or 900 yards from us. I found my saber and pistol, and
inquiring the way to the hospital, found Major Ward still liv-
ing, but very low. After he had spoken a few words, express-
ing his willingness to die and his firm opinion that he could
not last more than a day, he requested me to leave him and not
to allow anyone else in the room, as the trial of seeing his friends

Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry at Stone River. 89

under the circumstances was too great. All he could say was :
"Tell the boys not to be discouraged on account of our mis-
fortunes."

On our way to the rear, the evening previous, the news of our
loss having reached the ears of those composing the long
columns of infantry and artillery that were pushing forward, we
were everywhere met with expressions of sympathy.

When a few of us reached the hospital, General McCook had
already gone forward, and General Johnson's division, which was
to act as reserve, was just coming up. We were ordered to have
our command brought to the Crossroads, as the place was
called, supplied with fresh ammunition, and take the rear of Gen-
eral Johnson's division, as General Stanley said enough damage
had been done for one day.

We moved about one and a half miles and rested for a time
on the road. Skirmishing had already commenced where we had
fought the day before. It was determined to send forward a
wagon and detachment of six men to secure the bodies of those
killed and find the whereabouts of the wounded. The artillery on
our right wing was posted where we had been and where our dead
lay in the woods. At a distance of about 600 yards in the
woods beyond the skirmishing with infantry was very heavy,
mingled with artillery fire. It was quite difficult, but McCook
finally drove the enemy from their position and advanced about
three-quarters of a mile. We were ordered to fall back to a
creek, about one mile from where we started in the morning.
Our party succeeded in getting the bodies of the killed, including
that of Major Rosengarten, who lay with his head between the
hind feet of his black horse, "Zollicoffer."

The wounded were supposed to be in a bottom which was in
range of our batteries, and consequently we could not get them.
We were not able to find out anything regarding them, as the As-
sistant Surgeon and those who went with him under flag of truce
had all been captured and carried off. The bodies secured were
sent to Nashville, where some were buried. The bodies of Major
Rosengarten and Sergeant S. F. Herring, however, were placed
in metallic cofifins, to await transportation home.

We lay where we had been ordered until dark, and were prepar-
ing for a sleep, and had just laid down at half-past 10 o'clock,

90 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

when "to horse !" sounded, and we were off again. We had been
in the saddle for two days and two nights and did not unsaddle
ior two days longer. On our arrival at the Crossroads' Hos-
pital we found that we were to escort some wagons to General
Rosecrans' headquarters on the Murfreesboro turnpike. The
night was very cold and dark, with the road very muddy and
crooked. With the wagons our progress was very slow. We
built small fires and warmed up, but soon an order came down
the line to make no more fires. We had then to battle against
two difficulties, cold and sleep. We had had no rest for two
nights and not much to eat. After a pretty rough, and what was a
very tedious journey, we arrived at the pike about 4 a.m., Wed-
nesday, December 31, and soon had good fires kindled and
snatched a short nap.

Meanwhile rumors came that the enemy's cavalry were in
the rear of the army and captured and burned our regimental
train, as well as a portion of the trains belonging to General
McCook's and General Davis' headquarters. Daylight brought
some of the men who had escaped when the train was attacked
near Nolansville and several who had been paroled. These men
accompanied the train as guard. The destruction had been com-
plete; tents, baggage, provisions, regimental books, papers, etc.,
had been entirely destroyed. The officers all happened to be
wearing their fatigue uniforms, and lost all their dress suits and
everything except what they had on. The plunder was not
burned, for the rebels put the uniforms on and came out as gay
as peacocks. One put on a dress hat, another a pair of trousers,
another a dress coat with a major's or captain's shoulder straps,
with sashes included. As the commissions belonging to some of
the officers were among the private papers in the baggage, they
were handed up and taken possession of by different officers.
Major Prentice, rebel, son of George D. Prentice, of the Louis-
ville Journal, got a commission belonging to Lieutenant James
B. Curtin, and also put on a dress hat, and last but not least, he
put on a pair of very handsome boots which I had had made in
Louisville. I lost everything except what was on my body, even
my dress jacket, which was in the Adjutant's box when taken.

At daylight the Regiment was ordered to escort a train to the
rear and also to look after the guerillas who had burned the trains

Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry at Stone River. 91

mentioned above. Being without rations we obtained three days'
supply, and were about to start when, a new excitement sprang
up. Just beyond General Rosecrans' headquarters, about 800
or 900 yards' distance, men were hurriedly forming in line
of battle. Reinforcements of artillery and infantry that were
just arriving from the vicinity of Nashville were sent forward on
the double quick, and we were ordered to the right about. We
then heard the rebels had surprised our extreme right wing and
thrown it into confusion and captured twelve pieces of artillery,
which increased the demoralization.

Our cavalry in the vicinity were very soon concentrated and
formed in line of battle. We followed General Stanley down the
pike a short distance, when we were ordered to fall back on a line
with the road over which we had come the previous night. We
had not rested long when one of our ambulances and some
stragglers, sick and slightly wounded, arrived from the Cross-
roads Hospital, where the rebels had appeared in force about 7 or
8 o'clock. The enemy surprised General Johnson's division,
which in turn demorahzed McCook's corps, so that it was almost
wholly useless that entire day.

It was from the hospital mentioned that my messmate, John
C. Fleming, was taken with some twelve or fifteen others, and
carried to Vicksburg. The enemy threatened to take our Sur-
geon, but he claimed the immunities of his position, according
to the cartel agreed upon by our Government and Jefiferson
Davis, and although they did take and hold him prisoner for four
days, he was subsequently released. Major Ward and some
other wounded were not disturbed. The Major lay until Sunday,
January 11, when he died, a patriot and a soldier, consoled with
the hope that his sins were forgiven and that in the hour of battle
he had performed his duty to himself and his country. Even at
his early age, just twenty years, he had exhibited traits of military
character extremely rare even in professionals much his senior.
His body was taken to Pittsburg by his brother, who arrived only
a few hours before his death.

After the cavalry had remained in line some time where they
were formed along the road previously mentioned, the entire
force was ordered forward toward our position of the day before.
The cavalry numbered, all told, about 1200 to 1500, under

92 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

General Stanley. We were scouting as we advanced. On
crossing a fence to approach a stream we found ourselves in a
small enclosure and all the fences perfect, leaving no opening.
Already some 200 of our boys had collected in this place,
while others were taking down the fences, when bang! bang!
bang! bang! came from the artillery just on our left. Looking
around we found that it came from the woods, and they continued
to fire right into our ranks, shattering one man's arm, a fatal
wound. Temporary confusion, of course, ensued, as everyone
thought we were surrounded and without much hope of escape if
the artillery firing upon us was supported, it being so close.

In ten or fifteen minutes we had re-formed, in an open field.
In the meantime it was suggested that it might be one of our own
batteries. The General sent an orderly over to find out. He dis-
covered it to be, I believe, an Illinois or Ohio battery, whose
officers had taken us for rebels. We were separated some dis-
tance from the regiment in front of us in order to allow our men
to close up, as they became scattered in crossing the fences. The
regiment ahead had its colors flying, while our Company guidons
were all covered, and as the distance separating us was noticed,
they took us for rebels with colors covered to deceive following
those . who had already passed. Things were soon adjusted
and we went forward. When we left our camp at Harpeth Creek,
Captain Vezin was necessarily detained until after the squad-
ron had moved, and being misinformed as to the direction we had
taken did not find us until Tuesday morning, when Captain Smith
turned over the command to him, he being the senior. We finally
halted in a corn field about three-quarters of a mile from the big
wood we left in the morning, having formed in our march a com-
plete semicircle.

It was now about i o'clock p.m., and the artillery fire on our
left wing was very heavy. Having marched directly across coun-
try, keeping the road as little as possible, we had, of course, but
little idea of the real direction of our line, and thought the firing
came from our right, instead of which, as we found later, the
entire corps of General McCook was resting in our rear, we being
again in the advance with the cavalry force which had started
from the pike with us. As usual in corn fields through this region
we found plenty of corn still on the stalk to feed our horses. We

Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry at Stone River. 93

remained here for some two and a half hours, when we were
ordered to fall in line. An hour and a half previous to this the
regiment in front of us had been throwing out skirmishers,
mounted and on foot, endeavoring to find out what was in the
woods in front and on the right of us.

The whole movement was a perfect enigma to us, who had no
idea of the close proximity of the enemy. A force was ordered
into the woods on our right, and we were first sent to the left and
then countermarched to the rear of the center, where we were in
position to act independently or aid either flank. General Stan-
ley now dismounted a portion of the force in the woods and they
advanced rapidly for a few hundred yards, covered by the trees,
when they suddenly became engaged with the skirmishers of the
enemy. Reinforcements were sent by both parties and the action
became very lively. Soon the enemy appeared in strong force
and poured perfect volleys into the men on foot. Thinking we
were confronted by a heavy infantry force, and having no infantry
or artillery in our rear that we knew of, all our line fell back, as
the enemy outnumbered us greatly. We were, however, soon in
fighting trim. General Stanley cheering and begging the men not
to falter. Our boys were now placed on the right, when the
right and center of our little line were ordered forward. We soon
became engaged, when the enemy opened with grape and canister,
but fired too high, cutting the heads from the trees instead of the
men. This excited the horses. We advanced to the edge of the
woods, and by hard work dislodged the enemy and charged some
distance after them. Their firing being very severe, however,
our men fell back a little hastily and soon re-formed, and although
the rebels came to the edge of the woods, they soon retired.
Instead of being infantry, we found that they were dismounted
cavalry, some 3000 strong, with artillery.

We were now moving slightly to the left, when the rebels came
out of the woods and formed in line of battle in our front, shpw-
ing a force of nearly 2000, with their left in the woods. They
looked extremely bold, and the red flag was waved in bitter
defiance, inviting us to the attack. Our lines extended for some
800 yards in nearly a semicircle, comprising from 1200 to 1400
■ effective men. General Stanley was everywhere, and in a
moment he saw the best that could be done was to order a charge.

94 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

The enemy had already brought two pieces of artillery into posi-
tion and were firing shell, though without much precision.

"Let's charge them boys ! let's charge them !" cried the General.
The Third Ohio was just to our left and rear, and to its Colonel
General Stanley said : "Colonel, give your men the order to
charge." All was excitement. The enemy appearing so bold
there was a little diffidence on our part. "Where is my Seventh
Pennsylvania?" asked the General. The Seventh Pennsylvania
by their bravery and splendid conduct had won the affec-
tion of the Generals in this department, and especially of General
Stanley. They were soon found ready. "Now where is the
Anderson Cavalry?" asked General Stanley. He found us ex-
changing shots with the enemy, as some skirmishing was going
on along the whole line. The charge had not yet been made, and
we having, by our behavior on the Saturday and Monday pre-
vious, gained the confidence and sympathy of the General, he
said he would lead our little squadron in person, which excited
the pride of our boys. With his sword waving he ordered : "For-
ward ! charge ! Use your pistols and sabers, boys !" Then our
boys charged at a gallop to within short pistol range and fired
volley after volley with carbines and pistols, emptying some sad-
dles. . The cavalry on our left charged at the same time. The
rebels retreated some distance.

During this time an act of daring was performed by two of
our boys which will be remembered for a long time to come.
The name of one was Sergeant Henry C. Butcher, of Company
B ; the other Private L. B. Holt, of Company L. They saw the
enemy's flag and coveted it as a prize, but to attempt its capture
was to expose themselves to our own as well as the enemy's fire.
After deliberating a moment, the prize was too tempting and they
rode up, shot the standard bearer, who had advanced some dis-
tance in front of his command, and brought the flag into our
lines — the two men riding one wounded horse, the other being
killed. It was an heroic and audacious act. It was a beautiful silk
flag, belonging to the Third Alabania Battalion, and presented by
the ladies of Selma, Ala. — the only flag the force carried. It was
subsequently exhibited in the windows of Cornelius & Baker, on
Chestnut Street, previous to its being presented to Governor
Curtin, at Harrisburg.

Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry at Stone River. 95

Finding the enemy re-forming and knowing their superior
force, we fell back a short distance and re-formed, the enemy using
artillery. The order to charge was given and the whole line ad-
vanced at a gallop, when the enemy broke and took to the woods.

It was now sundown, and had we pursued, no doubt we would
have been caught in an ambuscade. It soon grew dark and we
could do nothing more than hold our position and guard against
any further movement. We found afterward that they had
seven pieces of artillery, and were just bringing them into posi-
tion when we made the second charge and frustrated their plan.
The movements of General Stanley previous to the first charge
mentioned did not take up as much time as it does to write the
account of it. We were again complimented by him for our con-
duct that day. We had only one Captain (Hewitt) and two
privates wounded, and they but slightly. The Captain was shot
through the wrist with a buckshot. William P. Ellis, in my mess,
received a shot through the shoulder of his overcoat. Sergeant
Charles Betts got a bullet through his hat and Charley Stew-
art one through the front part of his boot. One man had his
saber bent, another his carbine stock shot to pieces, another the
end of his carbine barrel blown off, and another his stirrup shot
off. Several horses were also lost. We therefore escaped very
well; some of the other cavalry lost heavily.

We found that on the pike, in our rear, McCook had his artil-
lery and infantry covered by bushes, hoping that we might be able
to draw the enemy entirely out of their cover, but the thing did
not work. We were ordered to take the center of the extreme
front for a picket in force, at the same time throwing forward a
few skirmishers in advance. It was moonlight, and a heavy frost
falling made it very cold. No fires were allowed, and our condi-
tion was anything but agreeable. It was not possible to stir
around sufficiently to keep warm, lest the enemy should hear us,
for they remained within gunshot all night.

Next morning we heard them sounding the advance with the
bugle, but it was to the rear. The army in that vicinity did not
sleep much that night, their minds being too intent on the antici-
pations for the morrow, for the report had already been circulated
among the men that Thursday, January i. 1863, was to be cele-
brated by a terrible battle.

96 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

The Sergeant-Major, who was very unwell, went to the rear a
short distance between lo and ii o'clock at night, and as I had
been relieved I went with him. Arriving at the pike we took pos-
session of a fire where only one man lay, and adding a number of
rails, lay down on a bed of four rails and slept as best we could
until morning ; but even then it was mighty cold. The continual
passage of ammunition and baggage wagons and ambulances to-
gether with the steady tread of cavalry and infantry, with ever and
anon a battery of artillery, was clear evidence that the guiding
mind of this department was not idle. I was awake at early dawn,
and soon saw General McCook, who had suffered so severely the
day before, passing with his staff to commence, though with a
heavy heart, another day's labor, and at least hoping for better
success.

At daylight Airey and I sought our command, which was
already in motion near where we left them. I soon found they
were going toward the pike, but not even the Captain com-
manding knew our destination. The officers did not wish to be
placed in danger again that day, as our ammunition was all gone ;
besides our horses had not had their saddles off for five days and
the men were overworked. The latter, however, even if offered,
would not have been taken as an excuse, as many others were in
the same position. Want of ammunition and condition of horses
were made known to the Colonel to whom we were that day to
report, who immediately had us supplied with fifteen rounds each
of carbine cartridges. General Stanley was nearby, having every-
thing attended to. We were then started up the pike, toward
Nashville, and had gone perhaps three or four miles ere we found
that we were to accompany the Third Ohio in guarding an im-
mense wagon train, some nine or ten miles in length, to Nash-
ville. It soon became known that an attack was expected to be
made on this train by the cavalry under Wheeler, which did not
at all increase the agreeableness of our position. Our boys,
though green at the business, manifested a preference for fair,
open-field fighting over bushwhacking. Flankers were thrown
out along the train while our boys brought up the rear, which was
an important position.

We were then about fifteen miles from Nashville, and the
flankers were crossing a meadow, beyond which was a strip of

Fifteenth PeniisylzxDiia Cavalry at Stone River. 97

woods (in fact, the entire road is almost bordered with woods or
hills, which makes it most desirable for these attacking parties),
when they suddenly halted. Soon one fired into the woods, then
another and another, and then they put spurs to their horses and
retreated toward the pike. It was Wheeler's Cavalry, but they
would not show themselves, although we immediately halted and
sent out skirmishers, being at that time certainly not more than
half their number. Luckily we had, among several unserviceable
pieces of artillery we were taking to Nashville, two pieces that
could be worked, and a shell from one of them caused the rebels
to come out of the woods. It was only then that our responsibility
became apparent. To preserve our train was our first duty, and for
us to attempt to leave it in order to attack the enemy was to allow
them the opportunity of hurrying forward a detachment to cut
the train in the center or some slightly protected portion. After
leaving the woods they quickly formed in line, and indeed looked
formidable. The great question was to know, whether they had"
any artillery. I suppose they had some with them, but they did
not use it on us.

Orders had already gone forward to hurry up the wagons,
which is almost equivalent to telling the drivers to run their teams
into the ditch, cut the traces, mount a horse or a mule and get
away. We wished to keep their attention on us, and not the train,
as long as possible, for we knew that when the head of the line
was within, say four miles of the city it was perfectly safe, and
considering its length, we concluded that it had already nearly,
if not quite, reached there ; so every moment we could hold them
in check here was of immense importance. The enemy soon made
a left turn and moved forward at a rapid gait. Meanwhile large
numbers were continuing to emerge from the woods. They gal-
loped forward, keeping to the right of us. The train had already
gotten from one and a half to two miles from us. Here com-
menced the destruction of property. With the least mishap — a
trace becoming unfastened, a line breaking — or even if a team
could not keep up, it w^as abandoned by the driver, who ran for
his life.

Of course, in attacking a train, it is immaterial to the enemy
whether they kill any men or even horses. Their first idea is to
present a show of force, excite your fears and the fears of the

98 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.-

teamsters, who are almost uncontrollable, and thereby produce a
panic, when the wagons become blocked up two or three abreast
across the road, each driver endeavoring to get ahead of his pre-
ceding friend. If they do not immediately become disentangled
they abandon their charge. The main train being of the first
importance, the guard pushes on regardless of wagons, ambu-
lances, caissons, ammunition wagons, etc., which are left almost
without cause on the road. Therefore, unless a train expecting
to be attacked, or which is attacked, is in charge of a cool and
judicious man, the loss of property is generally enormous. Our
train on this occasion was well managed, so that not more than
six or eight wagons were lost, while at one time it appeared that
a large portion of it must be destroyed by the enemy.

We hurried forward for perhaps two miles, not knowing ex-
actly where the enemy would next appear as they were all
along the road covered with woods, until we approached a
descent where the road lies right through a wood of cedar and
other small trees. Here they came upon our rear guard of two
Companies, who held them in check a short time until word could
be sent forward. The train was going along at a trot and making
pretty good time, when the yell of the stragglers and negroes —
"the rebels are coming!" — startled the teamsters again, and it was
here that two small guns and caissons and a wagonload of
Sharp's carbines came near being lost. Our force was imme-
diately halted and also a portion of the Third Ohio, the balance
hurrying forward with the wagons, while we should check the
enemy and then retreat. The enemy came out on the road and
charged on our rear, but a line of battle had already been formed,
and we advanced and drove them. They rallied and came again.
Our advance fell back a little, while a portion of the force forward
formed their lines on either side of the road covered by low cedars,
and when the rebels were within thirty or forty yards poured into
them a galling cross fire, which again halted them. A column
now went forward as reserve to a detachment which had charged
down the road. They came up in the hollow, when finally the
rebels went back to the top of the hill, where they remained, not
without some loss, however. We also lost two of our men killed
and the Third Ohio lost slightly.

Geo. J. French, of my mess, was ordered to surrender by a

Fifteenth Peniisylz'cnia Cavalry at Stone River. 99

rebel, he having been cut off from us, but as he was not able
to see it in that light and knowing there was only one thing to do,
he shot the rebel and retired. By hard work while the rebels were
being held in check here, some of the men succeeded in fixing
harness that had been cut, getting horses that had been turned
loose and rigging up broken gun carriages sufficiently well to
secure all of value that was threatened with abandonment.

Although in continual fear of being again attacked, we finally
reached Nashville just after dark on New Year's night, 1863, a
beautiful, clear and moonlight night, hungry and tired and with
horses ready to drop. We had been absent from Nashville just
one week, but our little party had suffered its full share.

Our losses in the battle were as follows :

Killed and died of zvounds. — Maj. A. G. Rosengarten, Maj.
Frank B. Ward. Company B : Private Robert Edge ; Company
C : First Serg. W. A. Kimber, Private Orlando Weikel ; Com-
pany E : Private Rich. W. Chase ; Company H : Private Anthony
R. Kintigh; Company K: Serg. A. S. Drake, Private Wm.
Brooks; Company L: Private W. Harry Powell, Private Frank
Eaton, Private J. \\'eiler, Serg. S. Fred. Herring; Company F:
Private M. L. Hill.

Wounded. — Company C : Saml. Jamison, Edw. C. Smith, Serg.
Wm. P. Rockhill, Jr., J. R. Steinmetz ; Company H: Jos. Hilty,
Serg. J. B. Garber, Jr. ; Company I : Capt. J. R. Hewitt, Serg.
Jno. Richards ; Company L : C. Lewis Diehl, W. T. Nieman.

Captured. — Asst. Surg. Geo. F. Mish, Hospital Steward Chas.
P. Sellers. Company B : A. H. Craig, Jno. C. Fleming, Jos. D.
Little, Chas. L. Hayden, Wm. K. Rile, Jno. C. Sullivan, Wm.
Wagner, Geo. P. Yocum ; Company C: Geo. Fisher, H. W.
Arnold, M. Baldwin Colton, Fred. Spang; Company D: Frank T.
Adams, Horatio G. Snyder ; Company E : Jas. H. Cornwell, Harry
Paschall, A. J. Buchanan, W. Beverly Chase, Wm. Conard, Rich.
Pancoast, Wm. Tarr, M. A. Williamson ; Company F : Robt. W.
Brownlee, Robt. R. Taylor; Company G: D. Spencer Bates, A, T.
Clark, Ed. Pattison, Jr., Alex. Ramsey, D. E. Bigler; Company
H : Saml. Trimbel, Josiah Warg, Geo. Fisher, W. S. Moore, Jno.
Pinkerton ; Company I : W. H. Baldwin, G. P. Dennis, Francis
P. Drinker, J. W. Hall, E. E. Lynch, Abraham Horn; Company
K : W. F. Jamison ; Company L : Byron O. Camp, Johnson

lOO History of tlic Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Hubbell, Samuel G. Curtis, Benjamin Bartram, W. B, Ecky,
Henry H. Jacobs, Jno. G. Marshall, M. Olister, Alex. Robinson,
Wilbur Watts, M. L. Jones, Chas. E. Scheide, C. M. Wilson,
E. L. Mills.

THE HALT AT OVERALLS CREEK.

A. D. FRANKENBERRY, CO. K, POINT MARION, PA.

SUNDAY evening, December 28, 1862, about 300 of the
Anderson Cavalry were in camp near Triune, Tenn.
Major Rosengarten was in command of the Regiment. On
this Sunday evening I was detailed as orderly to Major Rosen-
garten, and on reporting to him was sent to the headquarters of
Major-General Stanley, then in command of all the cavalry of
the Army of the Cumberland, for orders for the movement next
day. General Stanley directed the Major to move with his
command in advance of the infantry toward Murfreesboro, on
the road via Wilkinson's crossroads. I was sent during the night
to each of the company commanders, directing them to be ready
to move at daylight. Monday, December 29th, all the Regiment
there was in the saddle at an early hour and moved forward. I
went with the Major to General McCook and to Gen. Jeff C.
Davis; the latter commanded the advance of the infantry. The
orders given to the Major were to strike the rebels, push them to
the bridge across Overalls Creek, hold the bridge, but not to cross
over. Company K had the advance, and the column moved at a
rapid rate, and about 2 p.m. we struck the rebel pickets and drove
them toward Murfreesboro. The column soon reached the bridge
and halted. Up to this moment I rode constantly by the side of
the Major. I had on my cavalry jacket; the Major told me to
take it off and put on my blouse. I did so while in the saddle.

When we halted the column was not closed up, and the Major
directed me to inform each company commander to close up in
columns of four. I rode back and so informed each company
commander and then reported to the Major that the column was
closed up.

What orders, if any, were given to the Major while I was
absent I do not know ; but in a very short time the command was
given by the Major, and we crossed over the bridge and moved

101

102 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

about three-fourths of mile down the pike toward Murfreesboro,
when the command halted. Major Rosengarten rode back to
Major Ward, and had a few words with him. Major Ward's
battalion turned into a field on the right, formed a line at right
angle with the pike, advanced and soon opened fire on the enemy.

Major Rosengarten moved to the head of the column in the
pike and ordered it to advance.

We soon saw the rebels in force, with barricades across the pike.
They were also to the left of us, and we again halted opposite a
heavy woods, on the right of the pike. The Major gave the com-
mand "fours right !" which brought us in line facing the woods.
Numbers one and three were then ordered to dismount and open
the rail fence. This done, the men remounted and the Major gave
the command "forward, gallop, march !" and when partly through
the woods the command "charge !" and in a moment afterward we
received a volley of musketry from the rebels, who were behind a
fence which ran parallel with the pike. This volley killed Major
Rosengarten and many others. I was within five or ten feet of the
Major when he was struck, and saw him throw up his arms and
fall backward from his horse. He was on the extreme right of
the line, next to the enemy. My duty placed me close to his right.
Sergeant Drake was close to me on my right and was killed by
same volley. Seeing the hopelessness of doing anything, and also
seeing a rebel force moving to cut us off, someone gave the order
tc fall back to the bridge at the creek. Major Ward had led his
part of the command through a field and into the woods in which
Rosengarten fell, his line being at right angles to ours, when he.
Ward, was mortally wounded and died a few days days after.

These were the last acts and words of Major Rosengarten as
they were impressed on my memory that afternoon, and I can
never forget the day and events.

That night we encamped and all our hearts were full of sadness,
because so many of our comrades were not with us. They, with
thousands of others, had rendered up their lives in defense of
Liberty and Union, Right and Truth, and that our country should
have but one flag and be but one nation.

MAJOR ROSEXGARTEX'S LAST ORDER
TO MAJOR WARD.

SERG. SIMEON' LORD, COMTANY E, PHILADELPHIA.

DL RIXG our march, in the formation of two squadrons, to
the battlefield of Stone River, Major Rosengarten halted
the one under his immediate command at Overalls Creek,
resting there to hear from Major Ward's squadron that had
charged over the creek ford to develop the enemy.

We had not long to wait before we heard heavy firing that
indicated that the Confederates were hotly contesting Major
Ward's advance. A comrade and I had been riding on the left
of our squadron as flankers. On our rejoining it the command
halted.

Major Rosengarten gave me a verbal order to Major W^ard to
"fall back this side of Overalls Creek." Hastily crossing the
creek bridge, thence into the timber on the right, I met our men
falling back. I inquired for Major Ward, and the reply was, "He
is killed."

I hurriedly returned to Major Rosengarten and so reported.

After recalling Major Ward, it comes within our privilege
to ask if Major Rosengarten had known the rebel infantry were
in position behind the highest kind of a worm fence waiting to
repel cavalry, should he have led in a second charge over the
same ground, there to lose his own life, so soon after the mortal
wounding of Major Ward in the first forlorn assault? The fence
itself was an obstacle that would halt any cavalry charge, enemy
or no enemy behind it.

In the last charge a trooper, pistol in hand, dashed up to the
fence, riding abreast of it, firing into the very faces of the enemy.
If he lived to return to his command it was luck and a marvelous
escape.

103

INCIDENT OF STONE RIVER BATTLE.

WM. L. BRAXTON, COMPANY A, NEW YORK.

THE Sergeant of old Company H had reported at roll call
"all accounted for but two" on the morning that we left
Nashville to join the forces that were now moving, with
General Rosecrans as their Commander, toward Murfreesboro.
The air was chilly, and after marching "by fours" a short distance
we swung into a dirt road, and a few of the boys, including Billy
Brown, Billy Moore and the writer, getting in a lively mood that
was symbolical of our youth, struck up the song, at that time so
dear to a Philadelphia boy, "We're All Bound for New York."
As we had come from the same school and had practiced it to-
gether many times it sounded quite well. The "dough boys" that
we passed on the road cheered us. At the same time Major Ward
rode down toward us from the head of the column, looking like
a youthful General, sitting his horse so proudly. He being a
singer himself, joined in the choruses for at least an hour, singing
with us various songs that we used to sing round camp fires.

The next day we had another tale to tell, and Company H did
its full share. An incident happened which serves to show the
spirit of one of our boys. We had skirmished with some cavalry-
men who carried the Lone Star flag. We raced them up and
down the different hills. Major Ward stayed at the head of the
column of Company H. In charging around the top of one of the
hills a ball struck the carbine which "Billy" Brown carried. It
twirled over out of Brown's hands and struck the Major's horse.
When we formed the line on the top of the hill, the Major said:
"Brown, you lost your carbine, didn't you?" Brown said: "Yes, I
couldn't help it." The Major replied: "I saw you couldn't; but
it's all right; come and be my orderly." Brown replied: "Never
mind. Major, we will soon be within pistol shot." Brown died
shortly after in the field hospital at Murfreesboro, having con-
tracted a bad fever.
104

Incident of Stone River Battle. 105

I at that time had a very large, awkward horse, which while
strong was hard to manage, and while taking a dispatch from
Major Ward to the Captain of Company L, the horse was
hurt in such a way in one of the charges that it lamed him very
badly. I was ordered to go with the wagon train as one of the
guards. When Wheeler captured the wagon train I was one of
the fortunate ones who got away, but not on that animal. In the
confusion and excitement on the little dirt road where our wagons
were attacked I secured a very handsome gray horse, upon which
was only a citizen's saddle. On this horse and leading my own I
kept up with the few who did escape.

■Several of the leading pursuers annoyed us considerably, but we
returned shot for shot without any damage being done to us.
I think we hit several horses, as the rebels came within a hundred
yards of us, but would come no nearer. I rode with several
strangers belonging to different regiments into Nashville, and
went out to our first camp in that city, where we met and talked
with several of the boys who had been left in camp. Among them
v/as Bob Geddes. Bob got excited at the story of our adventures, "
and we agreed to go out and hunt up the rest of the Regiment.

We started out and rode a long distance, when we found we
were lost. Traveling on until about 8 o'clock at night we came
across a large cottage. We knocked at the door and asked who
lived there, and w'ere surprised to find a gentleman by the name
of Ben Johnson. He told us that he was a British subject, and a
British flag was flying over his house, but if we were lost he
would take care of us until morning. He advised us to hide our
saddles and accouterments and put our horses in the barn. We
were given something to eat and a very comfortable bed to sleep
in. Not knowing what was going to happen, we put our revolvers
and carbines where we could easily get hold of them. We slept
very soundly until morning and we breakfasted there.

Imagine our surprise when our host told us that in the night
a body of Confederate cavalry was there, but knowing that he was
protected by the British flag they did nothing but inquire, asking
him if he had seen any Yankees. Of course, he was guarded in
his answers. We found that we had been inside the enemy's lines
without knowing it. We started out. after getting directions as to
where we would probably meet our forces. [Making quite a wide

io5 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylz-ania Cavalry.

detour toward Nashville, bearing toward the left, we soon found
ourselves among Union forces again, but were not challenged
by any picket. We gained a road, and to our surprise met
some of our boys, with a wagonload of our dead, going toward
Nashville.

As my Company was supposed to be in the cavalry division,
I decided to try and find it. Geddes thought it best, as some of
his Company was in the escort, to go back to Nashville. Every
place that I inquired I was told to hunt up General Stanley, but
as his operations were in different parts of the field and the line
of battle was very wide, and as I did not know the country, 1
stayed all that day with various bodies of troops, making very
diligent inquiry for my Regiment. At last I found that it had been
so reduced in numbers, the head officers being killed, that it had
been ordered from the field, no one could say where, except "prob-
ably" Nashville.

I started for Nashville, and when I reached there our camp had
been deserted, and I did not know what to do. The horse that
I had, had to be taken care of, so, having some money, I left him in
a livery stable and stayed at a hotel. The next day I started out
to where the camp was and made some inquiries, but did not suc-
ceed in finding out anything that was of advantage. As I passed
through one of the streets I saw a large cottage-built house, on
the wall of which was a painted sign, with "Major Thurston,
Surgeon General," marked on it.

I thought there was an opportunity for me to get something
to do, and walking into his office told who I was and the circum-
stances in which I was placed, and asked if he "needed anyone to
be of any service to him." He looked me all over and said : "Yes,
I do. I haven't a single orderly or courier here. You take this
telegram immediately to the office." I think it was at the Com-
mercial Hotel, or near there. I took the message, and in return-
ing passed through the Market Square, and there I saw some
2000 rebel prisoners marching under guard. They seemed very
much elated over the prospect that they would soon be free,
for they shouted at everybody that "Bragg would take his New
Year's dinner in Nashville."

My horse was on a nice gallop, and a double-team ambulance
was driving in the same direction. I was looking to the left, and

Incident of Stone River Battle. 107

for some reason or other the driver of the ambulance, who was
driving at a rapid rate, turned his team so that the tongue of the
wagon was pushed under my horse, and I was thrown with the
horse very heavily, the horse's shoulder striking me with force,
crushing my left arm, disjointing it and also hurting my hand so
that blood was running from every finger nail. As there was mud
in the street I looked considerably demoralized, and as I gained
my feet the rebel prisoners, who saw the incident, jeered, hooted
and made many nasty remarks.

My horse got up and was apparently unhurt, and mounting
again I galloped ofif, returning, to Major Thurston. I told him
what had occurred, and he examined my arms and made me take
ofif my boots, then my stockings. He made a ball of the stockings
and put it under my armpit, and jerked the arm in place. I felt
very much relieved at that, but he told me I "was a fit candidate
for a hospital," and it "would come in very opportunely," as he
wanted someone to "go to the Methodist Church and make a
hospital there." He gave me a requisition for everything that
would go to fix up a hospital, and I had my arm put in a sling.
I went out to the Methodist Church and commenced operations.

Of course, I was the first patient on the hospital list, and the
same time I was appointed Hospital Commissary Steward. We
had a Surgeon named Sennett, of some Ohio regiment, as Chief
Surgeon. I stayed there some two months, when I received a letter
from "Billy" Brown, of our Regiment, who had been transferred
to Company L in the reorganization. He told me that out "of
the boys that constituted our first mess he was the only one that
was left." Stockton, Burr, Henderson and Chadwick had been
killed, wounded or taken prisoners, and he asked me when I
thought I would be able to get back. I made application to be
returned to my Regiment, and the request being granted, I re-
joined it at Murfreesboro

WHAT I SAW OF STONE RIVER.

JOHN G. MARSHALL, COMPANY A, PHILADELPHIA, PA.

IN narrating what I saw on our Stone River campaign, I am
reminded of the fact that no two soldiers will see the same
incidents exactly alike, owing to the excitement of a fight.
He only sees that which transpires in his immediate vicinity, but he
sees that in a way he cannot forget.

The first battle of any magnitude in which I was engaged was
Stone River, on December 29, 1862, while a member of Company
L. The scenes I witnessed on that memorable day are as plain
to me now as they were then, and I can recall the faces and posi-
tions as distinctly as though they happened yesterday.

The first day's march, from Nashville on the Nolansville pike,
was in company with the trains of the army, and it was not until
night that we reached the advance. But the next day early we
met the enemy's cavalry, and it was a day of enjoyment. While
we were under fire, no one w^as hurt. The bullets came thick
and fast and there were some close shaves ; but there is not much
danger from a mounted man. It is the infantryman, who has
the chance to rest his gun and take good aim, who does the mis-
chief. Our enemy would make a stand at every good position, fire
one or two volleys and then retreat. Our boys enjoyed the run-
ning fight, comparing it to a fox hunt when at home ; but this
experience of being shot at so much without getting hit gave us
the presumption to feel that a special Providence guarded us and
that we could not be hit, which led to disaster to us a few days
after.

We were nearing the Confederate army, which was at Murf rees-
boro, and the enemy was showing in larger numbers. A force
of their cavalry appeared in our front, and without waiting for
orders we charged. Down the road we raced, yelling in the
highest glee ; we went through a wood and up to a fence, behind
which was their infantry, and then came disaster. In a few minutes
108

What I Sazi' of Stone River. 109

there was distress in a score of Northern homes, owing to our
impetuosity. I saw their rifles belch forth, and our leader. Major
Rosengarten, and his horse, "Zollicoft'er." both fall, pierced by
fourteen bullets. Then came a volley right into the faces of our
boys, as only the fence separated us from the enemy. It was then
I witnessed a sight that can never be effaced from my memory.
Men seemed to fade away like frost before the morning sun, and
many empty saddles was the sad result. Here I lost one of my
dearest friends, a boy without a fault, kind and generous and a
friend to every man in the Regiment. I speak of our Sergeant,
Frederick Herring. I was next to him when he received a bullet
through his head. He lingered in the saddle a moment, then fell
with a thud to the ground, and his blood saturated my shoulder.
At that instant my gray horse was shot and fell on my leg, and
while trying to extricate it I saw J. Weiler, of our Company, dis-
mounted and bareheaded, acting like a raving maniac. He must
have been hit on the head, so that his reason was dethroned. Poor
fellow ! the rebels were around him thick, and I never heard what
became of him. I noticed a brave deed done by Al. Coleman right
in the midst of the slaughter. He deliberately reached through a
gap in the fence and brought out an officer, who proved to be
the Adjutant General of the Confederate General Cheatham. We
came off the field together, and a more surly man than he was I
have never seen.

We went back that night and slept in the woods near Wilkin-
son's crossroads. Our Lieutenant-Colonel, Wm. Spencer, was
there in an ambulance, sick almost unto death. He was worried
because of not being able to be in the fight. I tried to console him
by telling him that it was lucky that he was not there, as in all
probability we would have had one more soldier to bury, and that
we did not have enough men in the Regiment to whip Bragg's
whole army.

On December 30th General Wheeler got in the rear of our army,
among the trains, and burnt up several hundred wagons, near
Lavergne. Our Regiment, with the Fourth Regulars, Seventh
Pennsylvania and Fourth Ohio, all under Gen. David S. Stanley,
were sent to find Wheeler and drive him off, and the next day,
while our army at the front was in the fiercest kind of a battle,
we were scouting the rear. We had just passed through a cedar

no History of the Fifteenth Penhsyh'ania Cavalry.

forest, with dense undergrowth, when one of our batteries, posted
on a hill over to our left, opened on us by mistake. The error
was soon corrected, but one of their shots struck Robt. Edge, of
Company B, and took off his arm. Serg. Wm. Wagner, afterward
Major, ordered four of us to carry Edge to a hut some hundred
yards away, surrounded by a high fence. We carried him there
and laid him down and left him.

The Regiment by this time had passed on over the hill, where
we heard heavy firing, and as we came out of the hut Wagner
asked, "What is all that hallooing?" and just then it appeared to
me that all of Wheeler's cavalry was on us. We started to run to
the woods, but they sent a volley after us and soon had us cap-
tured, but having plenty of uncaptured Yankees to look after, they
paroled us on the field, the parole being written on paper from a
diary which one of the boys had. All we had to do now was to
enjoy what was going on, but there was so much of it that one
man could not see it all. Our battery quickly got their range and
began to knock them off their horses like apples from a tree.
Wheeler got his artillery in position, but for some reason did not
fire. Then he got his men in line for a charge, but before they
got started our line charged and Wheeler was driven from the field
badly. whipped. I don't think this took twenty minutes. It was in
this charge we captured the flag of the Third Alabama Cavalry.

Edge did not die for several days, but lay all alone and un-
attended. Sergeant Anderson made a visit to the battlefield a few
years after the war, and got from Dr. Manson, at whose house our
wounded Major Ward died, information of him. Our Surgeon,
Dr. Alexander, had been attending Major Ward, and after the
fighting was over Manson told him that one of our boys was badly
wounded in a house not far off, and suggested they go and see if
he had received any attention. When they got there Edge said
to Dr. Alexander, whom he recognized, "Oh, doctor, I'm much
better. I don't feel any pain at all." Alexander examined his
arm and found it all mortified and the stamp of death already on
him, and then told him that he had only a short time to live, and
that if he had any messages to send home he would see them at-
tended to. The poor fellow broke down at this, but quickly re-
gained his composure, spoke of all those he was leaving, and sent
them loving messages.

THE CHARGE OX IXFAXTRY AT STOXE RIVER.

GENERAL \\ILMOX W. LLACKMAR, FIRST SERGEANT COMPANY K,
BOSTON, MASS.

1"^ HE Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry arrived in Xashville,-
Tenn., on Christmas eve, 1862, having marched from Louis-
ville, Ky.

We had a dreary Christmas, and the next morning, Friday,
December 26, 1862, about 300 of us, under command of Majors
Adolph G. Rosengarten and Frank B. Ward, started for the front.
A cold rain was falling, and we were soon wet, chilled and quite
miserable. We marched all day through the mud, the rain falling
steadily, and long after dark reached a small village, which proved
to be Nolansville, where General Johnson, with a division of our
infantry, was in camp. We here turned into a field and went into
camp. We were so utterly exhausted that we slept, notwithstand-
ing we were so wet, hungry and cold.

Long before daylight on the morning of Saturday, the 27th, we
were roused by whispered words of command, as we were too near
the enemy to allow of a bugle call. The rain had ceased, but a
dense fog hung over everything. As soon as it was light enough
to see a little way ahead we rode out through the town, and were
soon beyond our infantry pickets and before long were in contact
with the enemy. We had a sharp fight with whom we were told
were some Texan Rangers, but as someone else may have been
assigned a description of this fight I will pass it by without com-
ment.

After another uncomfortable night, for the cold rain had been
falling again during a part of the day and we were still wet and
unhappy, the morning, Sunday, December 28th, dawned bright
and clear, a lovely Sabbath morning. The sun began to dr\' and
thaw us out, and we made coffee and enjoyed a breakfast of pork
and hard-tack, after which we marched several miles toward the
front and halted on the grounds of a Mr. Rett. I think I could tell

111

112 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

a good story of our experiences here, but fear again that I may be
trespassing upon some comrade's assignment. Suffice it to say
that two very pert and impudent rebel girls, one of them flourish-
ing a pistol, stood on the porch of the mansion and called us names
and wished us all sorts of misfortune, including our death at the
hands of their friends, the Confederates in our front. Here we
found several freshly slaughtered hogs hanging in an outbuilding,
and the negro servants were soon frying for us choice bits of very
fresh pork under our orders and persuasion. In another small
building, covering a pit filled with light earth, we found buried
many bushels of delicious sweet potatoes. We all had our appe-
tites with us and enjoyed a feast.

Monday, December 29th. — Started out early with orders to re-
connoiter as far as a certain bridge over a little stream. Our
Majors, Rosengarten and Ward, were ambitious, and did not con-
tent thefnselves with going only as far as ordered, but pushed on
and the result was that we followed a small body of the enemy too
far and ran into a large force. We charged into a piece of woods,
on two sides of which lay concealed, in a corn field, a brigade of
Confederate infantry. We were at once exposed to a deadly cross
fire, both our Majors were killed — Rosengarten instantly and
Ward mortally wounded, dying in a day or two. Eleven were
killed, twenty-five wounded and nine missing out of about 250 of
us who charged the enemy. My personal experience in this charge
was peculiar. When right upon the enemy and after men had
fallen all around me, from the terrible cross fire at short range,
my horse, charging on the dead run, got his front feet in a hole
and turned a somersault. I was under him, freed from my saddle
and lying on my back, protected from his full weight by an arch
formed by my saddle with my blanket strapped on the cantle and
my overcoat on the pomm.el. I was partially stunned, but remem-
ber perfectly looking up and seeing my horse's feet in the air and
Jack Horn's horse making a flying leap right over me. Horn was
riding right behind me in the charge, and was wounded in the foot
while jumping over me. Horn and the other boys behind me sup-
posed that both my horse and myself were killed, but when my
horse rolled over, jumped to his feet and started toward the enemy,
O. T. McConnell lay down on his horse's neck, rode between the
enemy and my horse, grabbed his bridle and brought him to me,

The Charge of Infantry at Stone River. 113

for I had regained my feet and was looking around in a dazed
manner upon the dead and wounded men and horses lying in all
directions. McConnell is now living in Fullerton, Neb. Seeing
my name as Commander-in-Chief, G. A. R., he wrote to me in
December, 1904, renewing our old friendship. Major Ward was
still standing with his back against a tree, his clothing torn open,
revealing a spot on his breast where a bullet had given him his
mortal wound. Why I was not shot or captured I never could tell,
for I could have tossed a biscuit into the enemy's ranks. I sup-
pose they looked upon me as a sure prisoner or thought our fool-
hardy charge must be merely a dash to be immediately followed
by a charge of a more formidable force of cavalry or infantry.

As my devoted Comrade, McConnell, threw me my horse's
bridle, he said, "Get on, quick !" but seeing I did not heed him, he
cried, "Well, I can't stay here," and putting spurs to his horse rode
out of the woods in the direction the rest of our boys, who were
able, had retreated. I deliberately picked up a canteen, seeing
mine was gone, and tied it to my saddle, tested my straps, looked
around and mounted, just as some of my Regiment came charg-
ing back into the grove again with the purpose of getting our
dead and wounded, as they declared. Just at this moment a staff
officer of Gen. D. S. Stanley dashed in among us and ordered us,
in no gentle terms, to retreat, and I quietly rode out with my
comrades. In the excitement I did not realize that I was hurt.
and if I could have had rest and some care might have escaped
serious consequences, but that night I was on picket, got no rest
and was chilled through.

The remnant left of our Regiment was pretty well used up, tired,
cold, hungry and orphaned; our Colonel, Wm. J. Palmer, a pris-
oner, captured at Antietam ; our Lieutenant-Colonel Spencer was
sick in an ambulance; our two Majors just killed in action and
Capt. Alfred Vezin in command.

On December 31st, together with the Seventh Pennsylvania
Cavalry and portions of the Third Tennessee Cavalry and Second
Kentucky Cavalry, making a small brigade, we started out
under command of General Stanley, commanding the Cavalry
of the Army. A battery soon opened on us, and one shot
took ofif the arm of a soldier not far from me. It was then
discovered that it was one of our own batteries, which made it all

S

114 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

the worse. Pushing on through woods and over byroads we
struck a dirt road about 4 p.m. We left this road, throwing down
a rail fence near the house of a Mrs. Barrows, and formed in line
of battle in a beautiful field. Before long a few horsemen rode
out of the woods, our skirmishers fell back, and then appeared a
column of rebel cavalry and then another. They formed in line
of battle in our front, with some artillery on their left. General
Stanley rode along in front of our line, and said to the officer
commanding the Seventh, "Major, we'll charge them now." He
dashed past us, who were the center of the line, to the Tennessee
boys on our right, and said a few words to them, then rode back
to the center and called out in a loud, clear voice^ "I will take
command of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania. Follow me, boys !
charge !" and in we went with a cheer. The enemy opened on us
with artillery, but on we rode and fired no shot, depending on our
sabers. We rode over their skirmish line, but before we reached
their line of battle they broke and ran, and we had a horse race.
A few were killed, and we captured a stand of colors and over
100 prisoners. Darkness put an end to this fight, but not to our
trials, for we had to stand all night as mounted pickets.

We were so cold, sleepy and hungry, having had nothing to eat
since early morning, and little then, that we did not know which
sensation was the worst.

I remember that I dismounted and led my horse around, trying
to get warm by exercise and to keep awake. Three different times
I got to sleep and was aroused by falling on the frozen ground.
Just before daylight we were relieved by infantry and led our
horses back a few rods, and dropped down with the bridles over our
arms to get a little sleep. When I awoke it was broad daylight
and I was cuddling up to one of my comrades. On attempting
to arouse him I found he was not a comrade but a dead rebel.
The dead lay all around us, covered with frost.

This was January ist. We were about used up. We were
ordered back to Nashville in charge of an empty ammunition train.
On our way we were attacked by Wheeler's cavalry, and some of
our wagons were taken and burned, but we got most of them back
to Nashville. The drivers on a piece of our artillery, in attempting
to cross a field, got their gun carriage stuck in an old stone wall,
cut their horses loose and abandoned it. Mv chum, E. E. Griffith,

The Charge of Infantry at Stone River. 115

and myself tried to dislodge the piece and take it into Nashville
with us, after Wheeler had been driven off, but it was too much
for us, and finally we had to abandon it, much to our regret. We
reached Nashville the afternoon of January i, 1863. Griffith and
I, dead beat out, lay down on the porch of a little house in the
outskirts, which sheltered us somewhat from the cold rain which
was falling, and thankful for the dry boards and partial shelter,
slept like logs, well into the next day.

I began to feel the effects of my injury received in the charge of
the 29th ult., and was compelled to give up and go into a church,
which was being used as a hospital, and there lay for several days
in a pew, getting some sleep, but little else. As soon as I. could get
strength enough I joined my Regiment, but was taken down with
fever, and lay for several weeks in a deserted house in Murfrees-
boro, in charge of a good-natured, shiftless negro man. Again, I
joined my Regiment before I was strong, and had a serious re-
lapse, from which I never should have recovered but for the
devotion of my comrade and friend, Harry Ai. Francis, of the
Anderson Troop, who secured permission to take me, in an ambu-
lance, back to the railroad and thence, via Nashville, to Louisville,
Ky., whiere I was taken into the home of Mrs. James Thompson,
and tenderly nursed back to life and health.

A homeopathic physician, an Italian patriot (possessed of great
skill and a loyal Union man). Dr. Caspari, by name, took an
especial interest in my case and tended me faithfully. I was sick
and a stranger, but Mrs. Thompson and her family took me in,
and from that day to this our friendship has been close and inti-
mate.

As soon as the doctor consented I rejoined my Regiment, then
at Winchester, Tenn., and went with it through the battles of
Chickamauga and Chattanooga, and remained with the Regiment
until I was commissioned and transferred to the First West Vir-
ginia Cavalry, in the command of Sheridan and Custer.

CAPTURE OF OUR WAGON TRAIN BY WHEELER'S
CAVALRY.

ARTHUR O. GRANGER^ COMPANY C^ CARTERSVILLE, GA.

I WAS detailed with a party of forty-two to guard our wagon
train on December 29, 1862. We marched along all that day,
without any particularly exciting incident, crossing over
from the Nolansville pike to the Murfreesboro pike, on a rather
narrow dirt road.

We were well in the rear of the main army and could hear the
cannonading and musketry at the front, and thought we were per-
fectly safe. To relieve us of the weight, we put our carbines and
sabers in the wagons, and were thus in light marching order.
On the 30th we were going along a hollow in the road at a point
about four miles from the village of Lavergne, and saw, just
ahead on the left, a rather large farmhouse, with pigs and chickens
straggling around over the place, and the boys at once made a
break for them.

I was near the rear end of the wagon train. I threw my bridle
over a fence rail sticking up from an old-fashioned snake fence,
and was chasing a pig, and had driven him. into one of the corners
of the fence and had my knife drawn, expecting to have some
good fresh pork for the next meal, when suddenly there was a
rifle volley from the top of the hill and rebel bullets were flying
around thick. I looked up and saw a large body of cavalry that
far outnumbered us and that we afterward learned was Wheeler's
entire brigade. Fortunately I was right where my horse was,
and, again fortunately, he was not tied, so I quickly mounted and
galloped back down the road, firing ofif all the loads in my pistol
at the rebels, who were getting very close. I had a good horse,
and escaped with a few others. One or two of our men were
killed and the rest captured and afterward paroled.

We made our way back to Nashville, where the Regiment ar-
rived the day after we did, and we learned that it had also been
116

Capture of our Wagon Train by Wheeler's Cavalry, iiy

detailed to guard a wagon train, which was similarly attacked and
burned.

I especially regretted losing my saber, as it was a particularly
small one that had been secured for me because I was the young-
est man in the Regiment. If either we or our officers had been
more experienced, we would have retained personal possession of
our carbines and sabers.

WITH ROSENGARTEN'S BATTALION AT
STONE- RIVER.

SERG. WM. MCGEE, REGIMENTAL SADDLER^ TOLLGATE^ W. VA.

I AM writing this on the forty-second anniversary of that des-
perate charge we made, under the command of Major

Rosengarten, at the battle of Stone River. The other bat-
talion, under Major Ward, was acting independently of us, but
both met disaster at the same fence, behind which stood a line of
rebel infantry. It was the bloodiest situation I was ever in, but
my head was clear through it all, and my recollection of it is as
vivid now as it was the next day after it was all over.

Our advance halted for a few moments at the bridge over
Overalls Creek, probably because that was as far as we were
ordered to go ; but over to our left Major Ward's battalion started
after some of the enemy's cavalry, and then we were ordered
forward "by fours" down the pike toward Murfreesboro. Soon
the order came to trot, and when heavy firing took place from
Ward's party it became a very fast trot. Then Sergeant-Major
Washington Airey came running through the woods from our
right and hailed Major Rosengarten, when the command came
to a halt. Airey told the Major that Ward was badly wounded
and liable to fall into the hands of the enemy, and "would he
charge up and get him away." The next command was "fours,
right wheel !" and the next "charge !" and away we went at
"advance carbine, "yelling like madmen, and thus we went until
we reached a high stake-and-rider fence, on the other side of
which were swarms of rebel infantry. I halted about thirty steps
from the fence, and luckily my horse was standing in a depression,
and so the bullets all went over my head.

Sergeant Alexander Drake, who had ridden beside me all day,
then a few feet from me on higher ground, was shot and fell from
his horse dead. I fired two shots at the men behind the fence, but
all the time looking to the left and right to see what was to be

118

With Roscngarten's Battalion at Stone River. 119

done next. Over to the left I saw Major Rosengarten going at
full speed a few feet from the fence, and my thought was that he
was hunting a gap through it, so as to lead us into the field. I saw
him fire one shot down a ravine that ran across his path and turn
his horse to the left, when a volley was fired from the ravine.
The horse turned a half somersault and fell on his back, with the
Major underneath. We all then turned, without orders, and got
out as fast as we could.

On going back we came to where Sergeant Rockhill was lying
on the ground, shot in the thigh. There was one comrade with
him, who begged for help to carry him out of danger, as we were
still under fire. I dismounted and turned my horse over to some-
one to lead out, and soon got two others, and the four of us car-
ried him in a blanket, each man holding a corner, back to within a
short distance of the bridge, and then laid him down beside the
road where the ambulance could come and get him. I did not
get my horse till noon of the next day, although I started on the
hunt for him at once.

If a Frenchman had been there he would doubtless have said :
"C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la guerre" (the charge
was magnificent, but it was not war). The mistakes we made
were, first, in attempting to charge at "advance carbine." To do
it a soldier should have three hands, one to manage his horse
and the other two to fire and load his carbine. The other was in
making the charge. If we had followed Sergeant Airey to the
right oblique, instead of going straight up through the woods,
we would have come to where Major Ward was lying, com-
paratively out of danger, and the only excuse I heard of for
making our charge was to save him. But it is easy after the
thing is over to discover reasons why we should not have done
what we did. We had had such an easy time with the enemy,
up to this time, that our heads were swelled with the idea that we
could do anything we wanted to, and the result was a lot of dead
and mangled comrades.

During the afternoon of the following day our command, which
was only a small part of the Regiment, was posted in a field to the
left of the above-mentioned bridge, facing the enemy. I had a
strong desire to get back to the woods where we had charged,
it being only half a mile away. I explained to my company com-

I20

History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry

mander, Captain Hewitt, that I had not been able to water my
horse, as I had just found him, and asked permission to take him
to the creek and do so, which he granted. I went across the
field and down the steep bank into the water, and, after my horse
had all of it he wanted, I continued to ride down the bed of the
creek and under the high bank till I was out of sight of Captain
Hewitt, and then crossed the pike and up to our fighting ground.
Several regiments of infantry occupied the ground, and some
artillery was in the open ground, throwing shells into a woods
about half a mile further on. Our boys lay where they fell, but
the rebels had stripped them of part of their clothing, and I don't
think any of them had boots on. Some of our boys, under Lieu-
tenant DeCoursey, with whom was Corporal Kirk, Al. Coleman,
and John Gulden, were there to take charge of the bodies, and
before I left the wagon they had waited for arrived, and they
started for Nashville and I to join my Company.

STORY OF A TYPICAL CAPTURE. IMPRISONMENT
AND EXCHANGE.

M. B. COLTON, COMPANY H, PASSAIC, N. J.

IT was New Year's day, Thursday, January i, 1863. The battle
of Murfreesboro or Stone River was raging, and our Regi-
ment had taken part in the battle for several days, losing
Majors Ward and Rosengarten and a number of men.

On that morning part of our Regiment was detailed to escort a
wagon train to Nashville. Thirteen rounds of ammunition were
issued, and with a part of the Third Ohio Cavalry we set out. It
was the expectation that we would be attacked by the rebel cav-
alry, as they were known to be operating in the rear of our army,
and we were not disappointed. One company was scattered
along among the wagons, with orders, if attacked, to prevent a
panic among the teamsters and mules.

About noon the rebel cavalry, Wharton's brigade, made their
appearance from the west side of the pike. They had been in
hiding in the woods, and had allowed the head of the column to
pass and get some distance ahead, when they charged on the
train. As they came down we commenced firing, but did not
check them in the least, as they were twenty to one. We were
placed in squads of four or five among the wagons.

Only those who have been in dangerous positions at such a
time can realize the difficulties in which we were placed, hemmed
in by ditches and fences on each side of the road, mules and
wagons inextricably mixed up, and the enemy firing into us, a
hundred against a squad.

Many of the teamsters, seized with panic, abandoned their
wagons, and the mules, left to themselves, turned off and some
were soon in the ditch. All was in confusion, and nothing could
be done to prevent it. The road being blocked up, there was no
chance to join the main column ahead.

The enemy were among us in a moment, and as we were doing

121

122 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

what we could to prevent a general stampede of the train, several
of us were captured, and as our men at the head of the column
were giving the rebels volleys ; the latter retreated, carrying with
them a few wagons and some of us who were prisoners.

We were hurried away, and our men opened with a gun on the
retreating column and shelled us as we disappeared in the woods.

As we left the road I saw Weikel, of our Company, old Com-
pany C, lying with his head hanging over a small bridge, and just
gasping, evidently shot through the heart.

We were rushed up rapidly through the woods and were soon
out of gunshot. We found they had with them 150 prisoners
whom they had picked up in other places, most of them infantry.

We were well treated during the night march of some sixteen
miles. Some of the rebels during the night gave us their horses
to ride while they rested themselves walking.

We halted about i a.m., pretty well exhausted, and lay on the
ground until near daylight, when we footed it into Murfreesboro.

The enemy were burying their dead in trenches, and we passed
General Cheatham's brigade marching through the woods to com-
mence the day's battle; the men cheering as they caught sight
of us.

We soon arrived at Murfreesboro and were placed in the town
jail, where we could distinctly hear the volleys of musketry.
From the windows we could see the body of our General Sill,
lying on a piazza of a house opposite the prison, stripped of
trousers, coat and boots.

We had flour and sugar issued, and we cooked the mess the
best we could.

More prisoners were brought in during the morning, their
faces covered with powder from biting cartridges. They were
jubilant, and reported that our army were driving the rebels in
great shape, and we were in strong hopes of being recaptured
before night, as the sound of the musketry became more distinct ;
but such was not to be our luck.

On Saturday, January 3d, we were loaded on open flat cars and
started for Chattanooga. It rained hard all day and night, and
was miserably cold. We had no cover, and travehng very slowly,
we were all well soaked and nearly frozen. How we stood it I
do not know, but we were young then.

A Typical Capture, Imprisonment and Exchange. 123

The locomotive was evidently in need of repairs. Frequently
the train would stop for an hour, and shivering all over and
soaked to the skin, we would try to make a fire out of the wet
wood, picked up by the side of the road. We were a miserable
lot and longed for daylight, which came at last, and with it the
blessed sun, distributing its warmth where it was greatly needed.
There was probably more real suffering that night than we ex-
perienced during the whole war.

We arrived at Chattanooga at midnight and were marched
through the town to the prisoners' camp, where we dried our
clothing and slept soundly until morning.

Sunday, the following day, was a beautiful one, a great con-
trast to the preceding day and night.

Rations were issued of meal and sugar. It was a regular grab
game. I secured two cups of meal, but no sugar.

Flour here was $50 per barrel, sugar $1 per pound, corn meal
$4 per bushel, and coffee $4 per pound.

On January 6th we left Chattanooga and arrived at Atlanta
early in the morning, and marched out to camp in a heavy rain.
Here rations were issued ; a loaf of good bread and pork.

The cars we occupied from Chattanooga were filthy hog cars.
Upon arrival we found all of the stores in town closed and busi-
ness suspended.

We left Atlanta and arrived at Montgomery, Ala., at i
A.M., January 8th. The nights were cold and frosty. By the light
of the camp fires we found a few more of our Regiment : William
T. Niemann, wounded, shot through the shoulder — a bad wound ;
Jeff. Denis and Sam Jamison, the latter wounded in the head ;
Garber, shot in the neck ; Alex. Ramsey and Ned Patteson.

The wounded suffered much from exposure, being constantly
on the move, but they received good attention from Dr. Mish,
who was a prisoner and was with us all through.

We left Montgomery at 9 a.m., going north, and bound for
Richmond. At dark we arrived at West Point and changed cars
for Atlanta, where we arrived at i a.m., Friday, January 9th.

The guards at this time were quite lax, and we were allowed to
wander about town in search of bread, and were brought up at
last at the camping place of the prisoners, where were issued corn
and beef.

124 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

We left Atlanta at 8 p.m., passing over the ground which was
soon to be made historic by the series of battles between Sherman
and Joe Johnston for the possession of Atlanta. Every foot of
the way from Chattanooga to Atlanta was fought over.

We arrived at Dalton early in the morning of January loth,
and left at lo a.m. for Knovxille, traveling very slowly.

There was some recompense for our hardships in the magnifi-
cent scenery through which we passed, along beautiful rivers like
the French Broad and the Watauga, and the majestic Smoky
Mountains — the range dividing East Tennessee from North Car-
olina. We little thought, then, that in two years' time we would
be climbing those same mountains with Stoneman's Cavalry into
North Carolina, to form a junction with Sherman's army to
operate in the rear of Lee's army.

On January nth we arrived at Knoxville. Often the men
would climb to the top of the cars to get some fresh air, and ride
that way in the biting wind.

Of course we had very little to eat. Those of us who had a
little money could occasionally buy some corn pone or tough
pies from some friendly darkies or poor white trash.

At one point, while passing through Alabama, a couple of girls
sold some pies, and every man who had eaten was taken deathly
sick. The pies were no doubt poisoned. Evidently too much
poison had been administered, and that saved them.
• We were held up at Knoxville all day and drew rations — bread,
crackers and pork.

All along the road through East Tennessee the people turned
out to see the "Yanks" and gazed on us as if we were part of a
circus menagerie. We bandied words with them, and really had
a pleasant time chaffing them. Many of them were Union men
and women, and when the train stopped, which was quite often,
we had some quiet talks with them.

A common question with them was : "What did you'uns come
down here to fight we'uns for ?"

We left Knoxville January 12th, at 4 a.m., traveling slowly all
day, and arriving at Owensville at dark. We found the bridge
burned, and had to lay over there until morning. At Henry
Bashor's some of us had a good breakfast.

The majority crossed the Watauga in a flatboat, and some

A Typical Capture, Iiiiprisonuicnf and Exchange. 125

waded the stream. We then marched ten miles to the Goshey
River, where we found another bridge had been burned.

We took the cars again and rode ten miles to Bristol, on the
Virginia line. Here we built fires, and rations were issued —
flour and pork. We passed some fine scenery, and the Paint
Mountains with their tops covered with snow.

We arrived at Lynchburg at 7 a.m., Thursday, January 15th,
drew rations and started for Richmond at noon with two engines,
as there were some heavy grades. We arrived at the junction
and changed from freight to passenger cars for the rest of the
journey. During the night the writer wandered about the car to
find a soft place to sleep, and laid down on the floor, with his head
pillowed on one of the men, who was sound asleep. It being dark,
he was unable to distinguish who it was, and on awaking at day-
light found he was using one of the rebel guards for a pillow.
Awaking first he avoided any unpleasant consequences.

On Friday, January i6th, we arrived at Richmond at 7 a.m.,
crossed the James River by bridge, entered Richmond, and
marched through the rain to the quarters assigned to us, a large
tobacco factory.

Quite a crowd assembled to inspect the Yankees. One man
informed us that the place had been used as a smallpox hospital,
and he hoped that we would never come out of the building alive.
This was encouraging. The building, however, had been thor-
oughly cleaned and whitewashed.

It was very tedious and tiresome to be held there a prisoner.
We had rations issued twice a day — half a loaf of fresh bread,
very good, mule meat or soup, which was sometimes wormy.

To the south close by ran the James River, and on the opposite
side is the town of Manchester.

We fell in to be counted every morning, the roll being called
by a little fellow by the name of Ross, and he would yell : "Fall
in, Yanks !" Some of the prisoners would mock him and he would
get into a terrible rage.

On the morning of January 17th Dr. Mish left us for the flag-
of-truce boat, with the understanding that if it appeared at City
Point he was to proceed to Fortress Monroe. Many forwarded
letters by him, which had to be inspected before they were
allowed to go through the lines.

126 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

About looo men were quartered in this building. On our floor
were 238 men, who at night slept in rows.

Much of the time of the men was spent in looking over their
underclothing. Stripped to the waist they were a ludicrous sight,
turning their shirts inside out, and ever and anon, especially ever,
picking out some small things, looking like seeds, which were
designated graybacks.

Should you put your head out of the window to get a breath
of fresh air, the guard below in the street would bring his gun to
his shoulder and threaten to shoot.

If any man incurred the displeasure of the officer of the day,
he was placed on one of the stair landings and compelled to mark
time for an hour or two as a punishment. The guards were gener-
ally good-natured, and our men would only mark time when an
officer was approaching. And so time passed, the same thing
every day. The principal topic of conversation was : "When
should we get out of this and be off to God's country." Rumors
flew thick and fast, and the wish was often expressed that this
would be only a "temporary arrangement."

On January 19th Dr. Mish returned, the flag-of-truce boat
not having put in an appearance at City Point. Seven hundred
prisoners from Libby Prison we learned had left, and it seemed
pretty certain that we would all go soon.

We heard that the flag-of-truce boat was to take iioo prisoners
at once. This news was considered reliable.

The men on the upper floor of the western wing of the building
were paroled on this date. This was encouraging.

On January 26th, 800 men from Libby Prison having left to be
put through the lines we were transferred to that prison.

We then all left the quarters we had been occupying for the
past ten days, blankets and tins being taken from us. We
marched through the muddy streets carrying our rations in
blankets furnished us for that purpose, one man at each end of
the four corners of the blanket — a singular sight, and it attracted
a great deal of attention from the citizens. We arrived at Libby
Prison and were soon installed in that filthy building.

The walls were smeared with filth that had run down from the
upper floors. No attention of any kind evidently had been paid
to cleanliness, and our hearts sank within us at the thought that

A Typical Capture, Imprisonment and Exchange. 12"/

Ave might remain here for months, or perhaps until the war was
ended. Some of the men were already ill. But we were agree-
ably disappointed, as we remained there only one day.

We were all paroled in the afternoon, and from what we could
learn from the guards, were to leave at once and be put through
the lines at City Point.

On Tuesday, the 27th, we left Libby at 3 a.m., and walking
through the thick mud, took the cars for Petersburg, where we
arrived at 8 a.m. Here we waited for the balance to come. We
learned that a sad accident had occurred. The footbridge over
the canal, over which we had just passed, had fallen in, and sev-
eral were drowned and wounded.

We arrived at City Point at 11 a.m., and were overjoyed at
sight of the old flag flying from the flag-of-truce boat "New
York." We knew that we would soon be in God's country again.
As soon as we went aboard rations were issued, and we filled up
for the first time in many days.

We moved down the James River. In the afternoon we passed
the blockading fleet, consisting of several large steamers and
two of the new monitors. Arriving at Fortress Monroe before
dark, we anchored, a tug coming alongside for the report.

On January 28th we weighed anchor at 3 a.m., and after a cold
and stormy passage, arrived at Annapolis, remaining on board all
night. Two men died on the boat as we came up the Chesapeake,
and their bodies were allowed to remain on their cots among
the sick all night.

We landed and marched through the town to the parole camp,
two miles out.

Our party was assigned to a Sibley tent, floored, and with a
stove. We had nothing to do here but cook, eat and keep the
fire going.

We drew full new uniforms, and it was amusing to see the men
burning their old clothing, cremating all the life there was in
them.

Here we remained for some time, leading an idle life, wander-
ing about aimlessly and hoping against hope that we would be
soon regularly exchanged and rejoin our Regiment at the front,
in Tennessee.

There was a company of cavalry patroling the country out-

128 History of the Fifteenth Peiuisylvania Cavalry.

side, picking up men who were wandering away from camp, and
every day men were captured and brought before the Command-
ant and required to give an account of themselves. The excuse
generally was that they were out fishing.

For the next four months our experiences were varied. The
usual lot of soldiers whose parole prevented their customary
duties until exchanged. About the ist of June that formality had
been gone through with and we rejoined our Regiment again.
Since our capture we had traveled 1376 miles, principally on
freight and fiat cars.

AMONG THE KILLED AND WOUNDED AT STONE
RIVER.

C. LEWIS DIEHL, COMPANY L, LOUISVILLE, KY.

FROM September 12, 1862, the day of my enlistment, to
January 26, 1863, the day on which my discharge was
handed to me and I departed from our regimental hospital
at Nashville, is but a short span of time. Yet it was to me the
most momentous and the richest in the experience of my life — so
rich and varied that even at this time, after more than forty years,
I cannot realize that the few short months passed as a member
of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry were not in reality years ;
for had I not in that brief time practically experienced all that
makes up the sum of a soldier's experience ? — the drill under most
favorable conditions and by expert drill masters ; the discipline of
the camp, with its attendant duties of guard mount and policing;
the breaking up of camp and the re-establishment of the same,
even to the extent of preparing for winter quarters; the march
to the front on horseback through Kentucky and Tennessee, with
attendant guard and picket duty and reconnoissance in force ; then,
at last, joining the army, foraging, advance toward the enemy's
lines of defense, skirmishing and battle ; wounded, prisoner, parole,
convalescence and discharge. So it is that all subsequent experi-
ence would probably only have been a repetition of what had gone
before.

It will be remembered that when the Regiment departed from
Bowling Green (December 21, 1862), on the march to Nashville,
Company L was detailed as escort for General Smith, and there-
fore did not leave before noon of the day following the departure
of the main body. I have always associated this with the begin-
ning of our active service, notwithstanding that I had a foretaste of
what cavalry service meant on the occasion of the night recon-
noissance to Glascow, in search of Morgan. Rumors of the close

9 129

130 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

proximity of Morgan and of the crossing of the Cumberland by
the enemy in force to cut us off were so persistent that we felt
sure to be attacked before we could safely join the main army at
Nashville; and when, on the early morning of the 24th, before
daylight, our bivouac was invaded by a party of troopers unchal-
lenged, we thought surely our time had come. They turned out
to be some members of our advance who had been sent back to
find out the cause of the conflagration — it was the night of the
burning of Tyre Springs — and to assure themselves of our safety,
and here we were, like the babes in the woods, sound asleep and
innocent of all danger, without so much as a sentinel to keep out
intruders.

Little wonder that, as we continued our march that day, we
felt we were looked upon with derision by the veterans who
began to be in evidence all along the pike — now a battery of
artillery, then a regiment of infantry, a train of army wagons or a
jumble of all sorts, all bound for the one objective point — for in
their eyes we had an appearance of newness which they, as
veterans, very naturally associated with inexperience, not to say
verdancy. As we neared Edgefield the road was so congested that
considerable delay was occasioned, and our contingent frequently
came to a dead halt in the midst of troopers, teamsters and infan-
try, who soon singled us out as proper objects of sympathy, which
I need scarcely say was abundantly and gratuitously distributed.
"Sorry for that fine uniform you are wearing; it won't stay that
way down here." "Sonny, think of me to-morrow, when you are
out cornshucking." "Say, Jim, I believe they are all officers. I
wonder who is to command them !" and much more to the same
effect and not much to our comfort. But by 3 o'clock we reached
the pontoon bridge and soon crossed the Cumberland River,
marched -through the rocky streets of Nashville, and about two
miles beyond reached our camp on the side of one of the beautiful
hills that surround the capital city of Tennessee. Here, thanks to
an advance contingent of our Company, we found the tents up and
ready for our reception.

The weather was beautifully clear, mild and pleasant. With the
approach of night the lights of the camp fires of the army camps
began to appear, and, after darkness had set in, the surrounding
hills appeared as though illuminated for some celebration, an effect

Among the Killed and IVoitnded at Stone River. 131

which was the more reahstic because of the frequency of signal
rockets ascending in various directions. It was the eve of the
natal day of the Redeemer, and it required no great stretch of the
imagination to conceive that all this was in celebration of the
announcement of "Peace and good will among men" rather
than an incident of a cruel, fratricidal war.

After more than forty years since the events described and about
to be described, it may be interesting to give at this point the ver-
batim account of the happenings during the next few days leading
up to within an hour or less of the memorable charge into the
woods in which Major Ward received his death wound and Major
Rosengarten and others were killed outright. I kept a care-
ful diary of daily events from November 28, 1862, to the day of my
return to Louisville, January 28, 1863, with a few days' interval
after I was wounded. This abstract is the more interesting because
it gives an absolutely truthful account of the happenings and im-
pressions experienced by me. That the trooper who requested us
"to think of him when shucking corn on the morrow" had a true
insight into what was likely to happen will appear from the fol-
lowing :

December 2jth, Christmas. — Was detailed with twenty-four
others of my Company to forage for corn. Went out on the Hills-
boro pike about eight miles, then turned into a side road to the
left for a short distance and found plenty of corn in the fields.
While the wagons were being loaded, I, with others of the escort,
passed the time eating some hackberries, small fruits that at this
season were shriveled and tasted like dried cherries. The trees
also resembled cherry trees. About 3.30 p.m. the wagons and
escort were called in. We had hardly gotten to the pike when we
heard sharp firing and shouting, and shortly a party of our men
came running in along the pike, followed helter-skelter by the
loaded wagons, scattering corn in all directions in their hurry to
reach shelter. They reported an attack by about 500 rebel cavalry.
Confusion reigned supreme. Our squad of twenty-five remained
and formed in line of battle. When the last wagon had passed we
were ordered to cover the retreat slowly, but were soon thrown into
confusion by those retreating from behind us. Soon the rebels
were visible on the brow of the hill and fired volley after volley at
us. We rapidly formed in line of battle in a field facing the hill,

132 History of the Fifteenth Pennsyh'ania Cavalry.

when the enemy retreated. One man was killed on our side.
Arrived in camp by dark.

December 26th. — This morning the Regiment was ordered off
without baggage on a three days' march. Companies L and I
started off, followed afterward by the other companies, on the
Nolansville pike, bivouacking near Nolansville over night. Dur-
ing the day heard firing along the road; there had been slight
skirmishing ahead.

December 2/th. — Started about 7 o'clock. Shortly thereafter
we deployed as skirmishers to attack a party of rebel skirmishers.
The rebels came on tolerably heavy, but were driven back by our
superior number. Saw one man (rebel) fall. Advanced into a
hollow, where we were exposed to a cross fire of cannon and shell.
Had to retreat a short distance. When we advanced again, after
a half hour's fighting, we drove the enemy from his position.
Went about a mile to our left to outflank the enemy. Olin, Curtin,
Burchinel and I were ordered on a knob in our front to scout, and
on our return, about half way down, we were invited by a sesesh,
whose property we had protected from the vandalism of some
army bummers, to dinner. We did not dismount, but had hoe-
cake, sparerib and buttermilk while on horseback. On our return
it began to rain hard, but we again started and scoured the coun-
try until nightfall. Captured two rebel stragglers on the way.
Major Rosengarten was attacked by a rebel, and would have been
killed but for the timely assistance of Serg.-Maj. Wash. Airey.
Cannonading was kept up the entire day, with intermissions. En-
camped in a field. Night clear.

December 28th, Sunday. — Advanced again about 8 a.m. After
marching several miles came to a small stream, which we forded,
the bridge having been destroyed by the enemy. After passing
some Federal soldiers drawn up in line of battle, we halted at a
plantation about a mile from the bridge. A handsome mansion
stood on a slight ascent, and seemed to be occupied exclusively
by ladies, who amused us, and possibly themselves, with sesesh
talk and rebel songs to the music of a piano. They seemed to be
particularly excited because one of our men had captured a horse
belonging to one of the ladies, but upon her earnest entreaties it
was returned to her. One of the ladies went so far as to flourish
a pistol (a very small one) in the face of some of the men sur-

Among the Killed and Wonnded at Stone River. 133

rounding the porch, but she was given to understand that her play
was dangerous to herself only. After staying here about half an
hour we resumed our march, returning whence we came, but leav-
ing a picket near the plantation (Dr. Webb's). Soon some of the
pickets came along with the report that some rebels had shown
themselves at the house we had just left. Major Ward returned
with a portion of the men, but failed to find the rebels. We came
to our bivouac for the night, about three miles along the road (the
Huntsville pike), early in the afternoon, and rested for the balance
of the day and night in a fine grove of trees.

December 2pth. — Resumed our march back on the Huntsville
pike ; turned off into the same road where we had our skirmishes.
On the way we passed through the bivouacs of numerous infantry
regiments and the headquarters of several general officers. After
marching several hours, much of the time through cedar scrub,
we came to an open plain, where we saw our cavalry drawn up.
We can now hear the report of rifles of our's and the enemy's skir-
mishers. Directly ahead we can see the smoke of some building or
bridge which has just been fired. Infantry appear to be ahead.

Within a short hour after the last word of the above was
written I was wounded and a prisoner, a number of my comrades,
including Major Rosengarten, were dead, Major Ward was mor-
tally wounded and others of our Regiment were severely wounded
or prisoners. I cannot do better than to let my diary speak again :

January 2, 186^.- — I am now wounded and a prisoner of war.
On the 29th of December, shortly after making my last entry in
this diary, we moved on until we reached the pike, after having
forded a small stream. Going along the pike we met some of our
men in charge of some prisoners — among them several officers —
and finally came to a patch of woods on our right, into which we
charged after our advance had signaled us to "come on." We
dashed into these woods until we came to a rail fence separating the
woods from a corn field. Here we were received with a sharp
volley, though we could see nothing of the enemy. The horse of-
one of our men — not of my Company — was shot before me, and
in falling the man was caught under the horse. I dismounted to
help him, and when I remounted I found the fence lined with
rebels, while most of our men had retreated. I had hardly
mounted when I was struck bv a ball in the face, the ball entering

134 History of the Fiftccntli Pennsylvania Cavalry.

my left cheek and passed through the nose. I allowed myself
to drop from the horse and lay still until the firing ceased, when
one of the enemy came up to take my arms. As he came up to
me I thought it about time to give signs of life, which I had care-
fully avoided up to this time, because I had been shot at when
making a movement shortly after I received my wound. On turn-
ing around he motioned to shoot me, holding the muzzle of his
rifle to my face, but was prevented by the remonstrance of his
comrades. Pretty soon one of our regimental surgeons came up
under a flag of truce, and I was ordered to go to a neighboring
farmhouse. On my way saw poor Fred Herring laid out (among
others). There were about nine men killed and probably as many
wounded — a great many for one company. Weiler and Eaton,
both of my Company, were at the farmhouse when I came there ;
both were wounded in the hip ;• Eaton mortally. He died at 5
o'clock A.M., January i, 1863. Weiler is doing well. My wound
is painful, but not dangerous, I trust. One of my eyes is closed,
and I may lose it ; the other is weakened considerably. There has
been a battle going on for three days. Our men have been thor-
oughly repulsed. The wounded have been coming in numbers
into this church (at Murfreesboro) in which I was the first occu-
pant. It is a terrible sight.

January 4th, Sunday. — We were visited to-day and yesterday by
a lady from Allentown, Mrs. Chandler, which was a great com-
fort to us. There was a report that the Union forces would occupy
the town to-day, as the rebels have evacuated this place. I hear
our forces retreated at the same time. My wound is much more
comfortable to-day. We were paroled this morning, but did not
get our parol passports. I suppose they wanted to have us ex-
changed even if they could not hold us. This evening we received
our parol passports. Our men have not yet come, although they
are still expected.

January 5th. — Our men took possession of the town to-day.
Several have been here to see us. They are passing through in
large numbers in pursuit of the enemy. Mrs. Chandler was here
again to-day. I gave her a letter for father and'one for Lew, which
she promised to mail. Suffered severely from colic during the
night.

January 6th. — Colonel Tanner, of the Twentv-second Indiana,

Ajiioiig tlic Killed and IVoinidcd at Stone River. 135

who was wounded on Wednesday and brought to our hospital,
called to-day. He manages to get along tolerably well with a cane.
Nothing of importance has taken place. The nurses and attend-
ants had to go to the courthouse to-day to be paroled. Wound
felt tolerably comfortable and the doctor says it is getting along
finely.

January ytJi. — Had my wound dressed to-day. Spoke with a
Federal surgeon, who told me we would probably be sent to
Nashville to-morrow. The wounded at this hospital were paroled
to-day. Affairs as usual. The United States Commissariat sup-
plied this hospital with stores to-day. The weather has been cool,
but not nearly as cool as we have it in the North about this time.
The railroad to Nashville will be finished probably to-morrow or
the day after, when, it is said, the Union soldiers will be sent to
Nashville. Have not heard anything from our Regiment. Ihe
hospital in which we are is an old Presbyterian Church and might
be made very comfortable, but as it is we have nothing except
straw ticks to lay on and a thin blanket for cover, with corn fodder
for a pillow. The surgeons (rebel) treat us very kindly and are
doing as much for us as they do for their own men. The ladies
(rebel) who visit this hospital generally slight us. Some few will
attend to our wants. There was a general apprehension by the
rebels that our men would not treat them kindly ; but since they
have received our stores, with permission to help themselves to
whatever they need, they think differently.

Jannary 12th. — Dr. Alexander called in the afternoon with an
ambulance to have us taken to Nashville. Weiler was too sick to
be moved, so I was taken alone as far as the crossroads, where, at
the house of Dr. Manson, Dr. Alexander had some of our wounded
men. Here I found Powell, shot through the knee. Had supper
with Dr. Manson, a very cordial sesesh.

I remained in the regimental hospital — a small church edifice
situated on one of the side streets near the capitol — just thirteen
days, when (on January 26th) I received my discharge, having
been pronounced bv Dr. Alexander unfit for further service in the
field.

My recollection of events at this hospital is not very clear. ]\Iost
of the time I was ill, having contracted camp diarrhea, from which
I was not entirely well until months after I returned North and

136 History of the Fifteenth Peiiiisyhania Cavalry.

was again engaged in business. The hospital was well filled,
mostly with members of the Regiment from the camp, where re-
organization was in progress. I was made as comfortable as pos-
sible under the circumstances and jollied by visiting comrades
from the camp, who wished me, if possible, to remain in service,
the more particularly since my name had been mentioned for
promotion. Little luxuries in the way of food were also pro-
vided, through the exertion of my comrades, from kind house-
keepers in the neighborhood, who, for a consideration, prepared
nourishing soups, pancakes and the like, which under the condi-
tions of my wound, involving the mouth and jaw, were very ac-
ceptable. Providentially, I was able to pay for these luxuries with
money realized during my imprisonment in the hospital at Mur-
freesboro. One of the young surgeons took a fancy to my spurs,
which I sold to him for $25, and a wounded Confederate relieved
me of an old silver watch, paying me $65^all this, of course. Con-
federate currency. It is almost incredible at this period to believe
that at that time there were speculators who had sufficient confi-
dence in the future of the Confederacy to oflr'er 75 per cent, in
greenbacks for this Confederate script; but that is what one of
my comrades, who had negotiated the transaction, brought me.
In consequence, I was well equipped financially to leave the hospi-
tal, which was the more desirable since the sanitary condition of
the hospital was in a deplorable state — gangrene, typhoid and
chronic diarrhea prevailing. So, having by the kindness of a
member of the Regiment — mentioned in my diary as Mr. Stein —
secured shelter for the night at a neighboring house, I started at
8 o'clock A.M.^ on January 27th, with a transport of wounded and
convalescents for the North, and after a very rough and painful
trip in box cars, which were not heated, though the weather w^as
intensely cold, I reached Louisville on the afternoon of the 28th
of January, 1863, and thence, after a few days to recuperate, com-
fortably continued my journey home.

MY CHARGE AT STONE RR^ER.

FIRST LIEUT. CHAS. H. KIRK, COMPANY E, PHILADELPHIA.

I WAS a Corporal in Company E at that time, and had been
selected to carry the Company guidon. For doing this I was
not required to carry a carbine. We had forded Overalls
Creek and were grouped around a large house. IMajor Ward was
with us. There was a level stretch of country for a half mile to the
front and then woods. Animated by a boyish spirit I waived my
guidon, and immediately saw a puff of smoke from the woods, then
the sound, and lastly, with a vicious thug, a bullet went into a tree
at my back.

"Take care, Corporal!" said the Major. "That was a close
shot."

At this time a party of Confederate cavalry was seen in our
front, making good time for Murfreesboro, and instantly the boys
took up the cry, "There they go! Charge them! Go for them!"
Major Ward, who was close to me, yelled, "No, don't go ! My
orders are to go only this far." Still the yells continued. Some

of the men advancing, the Major said, "D n you! if you will

go, I'll go too — charge!" and then all started, without semblance
of formation, most of them down the road and others through a
gate across a corn field, where the stalks had been cut and put in
shocks.

I was yelling as loud as anyone and waiving my guidon like I
had seen in pictures, but had never done the like of it before or
since, when, somehow, I don't exactly know how, the stick of the
guidon got caught in a corn shock, and my next recollection was
lying on the ground trying to remember what had happened. My
horse stood by me, and I soon concluded to get on him and continue
the charge. I got in the road, but the detachment had passed in
the woods, out of sight. I saw a few men, down a lane to my right,
on which was a frame house, and I went down it to join what I
supposed to be some of our own party. As miy horse still kept up

137

138 Historx of tlic Fifteenth Pciuisylzania Caz'alry.

his run. it did not take long to cover the ground between us ; but
what anxious moments they were, for the four men in the road
carried muskets, while all of ours carried short carbines. Then,
as I got nearer, I saw they had a butternut-colored uniform, in-
stead of the blue we wore. I was too close to them to stop my
horse, and doubt if I could have done so anyhow, but in a flash came
to me the drill with lances I had seen when I visited my brother
Will in his regiment, Rush's Lancers. Down came my guidon to a
"charge lance." ]\Iy first adversary sat stolidly on his horse,
fingering the trigger of his musket ; his comrades were in the rear
of him, but all ni}- thoughts were on him and I think his were on
the peculiar weapon I carried, and his ignorance of its effectiveness
magnified its power, for Avhen I got within a dozen paces of him
he dropped his musket to the ground and raised his right hand in
token of surrender. The others followed his example at once, and
for a few moments I had four prisoners on my hands. Soon some
of our men came up, only one of whom I now recall, Joe Rue.

Captain Norman Smith now appeared with his Company, com-
ing in from the right, and some firing took place in front. The
Captain ordered us to advance as skirmishers, across a cotton field,
and in the forward movement I divided my attention between the
enemy we expected in front and a new Confederate uniform, which
a colored man told me had been dropped off the saddle by the rebel
officer who had just gone on ahead. I did not find the uniform,
but found the enemy behind the fence just in front of us. They
reached it first; two of them occupied the panel just in front of
me, w^hile in the next panel I saw a bareheaded man crawl
through, who .came running to us. He had no hat or accouter-
ments, and his head was smeared with blood from a wound, and
as he came nearer I saw it was Sam Jamison, of Company L, w^ho,
in the mix up over to the left, had been batted over the head by a
rebel, was captured and escaped, all wdthin a few minutes.

The skirmishers in front w^ere making it hot for us now, and all
on our end of the line moved for the Avoods, from which came
yells and heavy firing. I passed Major Ward coming back, sup-
ported by a man on each side, a deathly pallor on his face, but
telling us in feeble tones to "go on." I went to within twenty-five
yards of the fence, from behind which came shots at irregular
intervals. I saw mv friend ^^'ash. Airev. dismounted and with

My Charge at Stone Rkrr. 139

saber drawn, calling to the boys to "come on !" and I remember
thinking what a dangerous position that was, for he was not over
ten yards from the rebel line of battle and looked every inch the
gallant officer he was. I saw several of our men lying on the
ground and horses rearing; one seemed to me to spin around on
his hind feet. Just near me were Lieutenant De Coursey and Serg.
Vv'ill Kimber. "This is pretty hot here ; let's get out," said De
Coursey. "Just one shot more," returned Kimber, and gave it,
but got one in return square in the forehead. We were all getting
out now, and a little depression in the ground gave us cover and
the chance to retreat in good order, and all firing from the front
ceased, and was succeeded by some horrible, agonizing cries from
some of our wounded back on the field.

We fell back to near Wilkinson's crossroads and slept in the
woods all night. It was a quiet bivouac, and many silent thoughts
went out to those of our comrades who lay stifif and stark on the
field of action, toward Murfreesboro.

WITH OUR CAPTURED WAGON TRAIN.

WM. AXDERSOX, COMPAXY F, WILKIXSBURG, PA.

WHEN our Regiment was ordered on the march which
ended, a few days later, in the battle of Stone River, I
reported for duty with my -Company, but because our
teamster was sick I was detailed to drive our Company wagon
in his stead. As this part of army life was new to me I was given
the privilege of selecting two others to help me, and I chose John
McFarland and J. F. Turner, of my Company.

We fell into line with the other wagons, got on to the N-olans-
ville pike and got as far as that town when w^e stopped for the
night. Up to this time I had been driving six mules and had my
horse tied to the foot of the wagon, but during the night some-
one stole one of my mules, and the next day I had to get along
with five, and did it very well as long as I had anything to do with
them.

Sometime during the day we reached a ravine, and were resting
at the time General Wheeler's men captured most everything in the
shape of wagons. I was sitting in the front of mine, and very
pleasantly occupied just then eating hard-tack, with plenty of
sugar on it, and John McFarland was on his horse up on the bank
above me, when I heard a yelling which somehow reminded me of
old times in Pennsylvania, and I said to John, "There's a school
just out. Don't you hear the children?" Just then John yelled
to me, "Cut a mule loose, Andy, for the whole rebellion is com-
ing!" My belt and side arms were in the front end of the wagon
and I tried to get them, but they had got fastened in some of the
boxes on the wagon, and just then I had no time to stop for them.
I ran to the hind end of the wagon where I kept my horse, but
our Company cook was ahead of me, and going off like a streak,
and the horse he rode had been mine.

There was terrible confusion now. The rebels were yelling and
the rifle balls were thick, but I ran along the line of wagons till I
140

JVith Our Captured Wagon Train. 141

came to the end of them, and then on up a Httle hill. Turner, who
was behind, yelled to me to keep on running over the hill and he
would take me on his horse. Where we were was too dangerous
a place to stop, but as soon as sheltered from the fire of the enemy
I got on Turner's horse, behind him, and we joined in the running
race to Nashville, where we arrived in safety.

BRIXGING OUR DEAD BACK TO NASHVILLE.

LIEUT. A. B. COLEMAN, COMPANY L, PHILADELPHL\.

IT was the clav after our fight at the battle of Stone River,
where we had dashed headlong against the Tenth South
Carolina Infantry, posted behind a fence, and been driven
back, with a score of our small force killed and wounded. Our
Company Commander, Lieut. John W. Jackson, detailed Corp.
Chas. H. Kirk and four men, of whom I was one, to go up lo
where we had our fight the afternoon before, impress a wagon
from some farmer in the neighborhood, and load up our dead on it
and take them back to Nashville.

We started and soon reached our field. The infantry had
already arrived, and their skirmishers were busy popping away at
the enemy just ofif to the left and in a different direction from
which the heavy attack came early the next morning. Farmers
and country wagons were scarce, and while we waited for our
wagon to come we could watch the movements of our infantry,
which was all new and interesting to us. The rattle of the skir-
mishers never stopped, and to add to the entertainment we were
treated to the sight of an artillery duel between two of our guns
and two of the enemy's, posted off to our left and front. They
fired round shot at us, which ricochetted across the fields but hurt
no one. This kept up for quite a while, till one of our Generals
came up and said to the batteryman, "Why don't you stop those
fellows ? Where's Ed ?"

Then a young fellow of about twenty stepped up smiling, and
saluting said, "Here I am. General."

"Ed, put a shot into that battery and stop them."

Ed carefully sighted one of the guns — a Parrott — and pulled
the lanyard. There was an explosion over in the rebel battery,
then a cheer from our lines, and the last seen of the enemv thev
were going like wild for shelter.

Our wagon came at last, late in the afternoon. Our dead were
142

Bringing Our Dead Back to Xashvillc- 143

piled in it, and we pulled out as far as Wilkinson's crossroads,
where the night was spent. A little after daylight the next morn-
ing a terrible infantry firing took place quite near to us in front,
accompanied by some cheers and a larger volume of rebel yells.
Some artillerymen with led horses stopped long enough to tell
us that their battery had just been overrun by the rebels, and then
some officers ordered us to "light out" as fast as we could, as the
rebels were coming.

Our team had been hitched up at the first noise of battle, and
pulled out at once down a road for 100 yards, and then took one
to the left. Just at the turn we met Alex. Ramsey and Ed Patti-
son, on guard over a lot of ammunition, and told them to come
along, but they declined, and in about three minutes the rebels had
them. Our wagon kept jogging along, the mules at a sharp trot.
We joined the wagons, all anxious to get away, and the yells and
firing of rifles and artillery seemed greater than ever, while the
peculiar whiz of the rifle ball was ever in the air. We had left the
road by this time, cutting across fields, and all the time at a jog trot.
The tailboard of our wagon got loose and the body of Major
Rosengarten commenced sliding down from the pile of bodies.
There was nothing to do but stop our wagon, crawl in over the
bodies and lift the Major's body back to its "place, then start off
again. This happened so often that the other wagons all passed
and we were left to follow alone. A line of the enemy's cavalry
came up in our rear, about half a mile away, and occasionally
sent a shot after us, and the only reason I could think of why they
did not send a few men and capture us, was that they thought our
wagon, ofif by itself, was only a decoy to draw them on. Even
the stragglers from the broken infantry, who had been keeping us
company, had passed on. This kept on for an hour, when we
reached Lavergne, where some of our troops were and where the
other wagons had assembled. The Michigan Engineers had had
a sharp fight here only a couple of hours before, defeating
Wheeler's cavalry. All about the place was an air of subdued
excitement, for while they had won the first round in the battle,
it was not yet determined who would be the victor in others that
might come.

After a short halt here our wagon started oft* alone to Nashville,
fifteen miles distant. It was an anxious trip for us, as the enemy's

144 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

cavalry had all been thrown to the rear of our army and we were
continually hearing of them all around us. Besides this, the strag-
glers from the field of battle were almost as bad, as they told such
terrific tales of what they had done and how much more terrible
the rebels were; of "how their regiment was all cut to pieces —
not twenty-five men of it left alive" — until one felt almost as
craven and disheartened as the cowards who had run away from
their command. The rear of an army is the worst place to judge
how the battle is going in front. At one point in the road an infan-
tryman, mounted on a mule, galloped by us. He had all his ac-
couterments with him, and as he passed he yelled to us, "Look out,
boys ! the rebels are just behind !" Five minutes later he came back,
without mule, hat, gun, haversack, and told us that the rebels were
on that little knoll just in front, in plain sight; that they had cap-
tured him there and were waiting for us. But we passed in
safety and saw no sign of an enemy. It was a weary, hard,
anxious day, and there was no let-up to it until near dusk, when
we passed within the line of our pickets and soon after reached
our old camp.

THE CHASE BROTHERS.

SERG. SIMEON LORD, COMPANY E, PHILADELPHIA.

THE Chase brothers I sliall never forget. I can see them
now, arm in arm, sauntering around camp, just as affec-
tionate as two sisters — indehbly marked with gentleness
and refinement, giving an insight of the cultured home and gentle-
folk they parted from when they pledged their services to their
country.

I would look at them and contrast their past with their present
life and doings, and thought — how will they meet it and what will
be the end ?

It came quickly, sad and pathetic. Richard, the younger brother,
in the charge at Stone River went gaily into the fight and met his
death. But an hour before he had been reading from Homer's
"Iliad" and giving its translation to those around him as they rode
forward, and the first knowledge that many had of his death was
seeing his riderless horse, to whose saddle was strapped the book
from which he had so lately been reading. In the charge he had
ridden right up to the fence, behind which the rebels lay, and when
driven back was one of the last to leave, going at a slow trot, with
body bent and face to the foe. The ball that killed him entered
his right cheek and passed up into his brain. His friend John K.
Marshall, going by a moment later, seeing him lying on the
ground, dismounted and tried to raise him up, but his Lieutenant,
John W. Jackson, called to him to "fall back," as all were retreat-
ing. This occurred within fifty yards and in ftill sight of the rebel
line of battle, but not a shot did they fire. Such a record of death
tells of his courage and culture.

Beverly, after the death of his comrade and brother, gave evi-
dence that his heart was bleeding, lonesome and ever flooding with
grief over his great loss.

After the battle of Stone River I was stationed at department
headquarters as Courier Sergeant, and for a time lost sight of

10 145

146 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Beverly. Often I would think of him. Later on I was told he was
taken prisoner.

After the capture of Atlanta, and while stationed there, Com-
rade Balmar reported to me to be cared for. He had just gotten
to Atlanta after his escape and perilous, winning flight from
Andersonville prison. I instantly thought he might know some-
thing about the captured Chase brother. From him I got the
story. In the charge at Dandridge, Beverly's horse was shot, and
he with thirteen others was taken prisoner, and went through with
them to Andersonville. He was one of the most cheerful among
them and did much to keep up the courage of some who were
downhearted. Although not yet of age, he had taken one voyage
at sea and been shipwrecked, and gleefully told the others that the
hardships in front of them were not equal to those he had passed
through. His was a lovable disposition, and all his Comrades were
drawn to him, but his stay was short. He entered Andersonville
on the loth of March, 1864, and eleven days after he died of rapid
consumption.

The Chase brothers gave to their country "the full measure."

FROM STOXE RIVER TO LIBBY.

ASSIST. SURGEON GEO. F. MISH, MIDDLETOWN, PA.

THE Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry broke camp at Nash-
ville, Tenn., on the afternoon of December 26, 1862, and
started for the front. This was a novelty to inexperienced
men who had only backed their horses at Louisville, Ky., three
weeks before, and ridden across the State of Kentucky to Nash-
ville, Tenn., being between two and three weeks on the way. It was
a gloomy outset, in mist and rain. However, the Regiment, anx-
ious to be engaged, displayed fine spirit, and cheerfully and boldly
moved on in the darkness. After a march of seven or eight miles
they encamped near a small village and halted for the remainder
of the night. After a few hours rest the march was resumed.
This continued until we approached Stone River, when we w^ere
apprised by the distant roaring of artillery that a battle was immi-
nent. The set and determined faces of the men indicated that they
were alive to the impending struggle, and that they were resolved
to do or die. I myself was deeply impressed — perhaps battle-
fright or something akin to awe and dread of conflict between the
tv/o vast armies clashing in fire and thunder of cannon. My own
war experience was nil, and being at a loss to know how to proceed,
I inquired of Major Rosengarten, in command. He replied, "Keep
to the rear and follow us." After a short rest and inspection and
instruction to the men, we moved on toward the front. Soon our
march became a run and charge into the thick of the fray. At this
stage it was difficult to keep up with the body of wild and excited
warriors, and I lost some ground, but followed as fast as I was
able. Not having the same incentive to distinguish myself as a
combatant, with no arms either to attack or defend, I was only
useful when it was the misfortune of another to suffer. My turn,
however, soon came.

The road lay between woods, and I observed a group of our
men on the right of the road in the forest, and riding up found the

147

148 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

situation I dreaded. Here, in the midst of the squad, was Major
Ward, and I saw by his features that he was mortally wounded.
I told the men to lay him upon a blanket which I had unrolled
from my saddle, which being done, I carefully examified his
wounds. They consisted of a ragged, gaping laceration of his
right breast, several ribs shattered and the lung mangled, attended
with copious hemorrhage at every breath. Whatever was possible
under the circumstances I did to relieve him, but it was a useless
service. I was called off to attend others in the neighborhood who
were suffering, and while engaged in this 'duty, accompanied by
three or four of the boys whose names I cannot recall — I think JeflF
Dennis was one of them — I was interrupted by several coming up
and telling me that I was wanted by an officer. I inquired, "Who ?
What does he want? Tell him I am engaged." "Come on ! it is a
rebel officer." In a moment or two I met the officer. (It is
necessary here to make some explanation. While treating Major
Ward I had a number of wide, white bandages, which were un-
rolled, and for convenience had wrapped them on my arm and car-
ried others in my hands, which unrolling and fluttering in the
breeze might have been mistaken for a white flag ; at all events
giving me a marked appearance.)

The officer introduced himself as Colonel , of a South

Carolina Confederate regiment, and demanded an explanation of
my white display, which he said "he supposed was for a truce,
and whether it was so?" Replying, I stated that I was a U. S.
Surgeon attending to my duties, and what he judged was a
flag of truce were bandages and dressings for the injured. He
instantly recognized my green sash, a Surgeon's insignia, and my
regulation U. S. medical cap, and said, "Well, doctor, I mistook
you for a bearer of a flag of truce. Proceed with your work —
recognize your dead ;" grimly remarking, "There they lie ; secure
their valuables — be active!" This was in the face of a thousand
rifles leveled toward us, over and between fence rails, their muz-
zles gaping at us, and the men behind the guns ready to fire at the
least provocation or by accident. It was anything but a pleasant
situation. I hastened, under the circumstances, to perform my
gruesome duty ; my sensations were overwhelming. In a few short
moments — 'Major Ward, dying; here, lying stark dead, Major
Rosengarten, Sergeant Herring and a number of others — I sup-

From Stone River to Libby. 149

pose ten or fifteen; their names I cannot remember, but they are
all known and their memories honored for their gallant charges,
exhibiting wonderful bravery. After hurried, speedy work, we
were called off and ordered to the rear.

I told the Colonel that I wanted to return to my men. He
quickly replied, "That cannot be ; you are within our lines and must
remain with us." I saw that it was useless to protest, and with a
heavy heart joined my comrades ; then I realized I was a prisoner
of war. We fell back, under guard, through the Confederate hues
that had slaughtered the brave boys lying where we saw them. I
wondered then how any of them escaped, for as far as I could see
in either direction the fence, which served them as a barricade, was
lined with troops. After being pressed by our guards for about an
eighth of a mile, we reached a planter's house. Here was shown
an instance of how our boys exhibited their ability to take care of
themselves. The guards took us into the kitchen, where a number
of men — 'Confederates — were taking their supper. I don't know
whether we were asked to take part or not, but we all took seats,
and at that board we partook of a hearty meal of hog, and corn
pone and rye coffee, the last square meal we had for many days
after that.

After leaving the table the planter took us into his parlor and
made a request that astonished me. He said : "Doctor, my family
must leave this place or they will all be killed. Will you give me
a pass through your forces ?" This was piling on the agony. How
could I give a pass that would be recognized by anyone? I told
him so, but still he persisted : "Give me one, and I will risk the
chance." At length, to satisfy him, I wrote him one, thus : "Guards
and pickets of the U. S. forces : Pass Mr. Hasten, planter,
and family through your line to a place of safety." Strange
to say, the following summer, while at Camp Garesche, I vis-
ited the plantation, and met Mr. M. and family. I inquired how
the pass I gave him answered. He replied that it took him
through to Nashville. He was most grateful for the service. I
suppose he was harmless, and both sides were relieved by his
removal.

In a short time after this my Comrades were taken away, it
was said to Murfreesboro, and I was ordered to get into an army
wagon and take the same course. On arriving at Murfreesboro

150 History of the Fifteenth Pemisylvania Cavalry.

I was taken to a room in the courthouse. Here, after protesting
strongly that I was not a prisoner, an orderly was sent with me
to General Bragg's headquarters in the town, to inquire what dis-
position should be made of my case. It was too late to see the
General conveniently, I suppose — and what difference, anyhow?
one poor Yankee doctor didn't count — and we returned. On the
way back to the courthouse the orderly quizzed me about my
home. When I mentioned it was in Pennsylvania, near Harris-
burg, he was quite struck, and said: "Why, I am from Pennsyl-
vania, too. I lived at Cornwall, Lebanon County." He said he
was anxious to get out of the Confederacy, but they had too tight
a hold on him, then, but that he would get away yet. He seemed
to be much dissatisfied with the situation. Feeling too uncom-
fortable myself at my own unfortunate situation, I did not press
my confidence; and indeed the South was full of such characters
as I met later on my travels — stranded, poor and yearning for
"God's country." Their existence in Dixie was intolerable, for
they were not fully trusted.

Next morning I was ordered up by a guard to accompany him
to the Chattanooga Railroad. Here I found a long train of cars,
cattle and freight, loaded with prisoners. I was placed in a car,
something like a baggage car, among officers and guards— no ac-
commodations whatever for seating; just standing room. Their
eyes were all turned upon me, and I felt I was an intruder and
out of place. They subjected me to many remarks and queries.
About this time my sword and belt were noticed. They went for
me — "Give up that sword; you have no right to wear it," and ap-
proached me to seize it. I told them I was a Surgeon, and that I
wore the regulation staff sword not as a weapon, but as a cus-
tomary adjunct to my position. This availed nothing. They were
determined to have it. I said: "Gentlemen, I will not give it to
you ; I am not a prisoner. If I part with it you must take it your-
selves." I was crowded upon and they unbuckled the belt and
took it. I threatened to expose them to the Provost Marshal at
Chattanooga when we arrived there. They were cross and ugly.
I got in a corner of the car, and sat down on the floor. I followed
my property to the Provost Marshal's office in Chattanooga, and
gave a statement of the affair. He pointed to a shelf in his office,
and said : "There is vour sword, but I will take care of it and re-

1

From Stone River to Libby. 151

turn it to you another time." That's the end of the sword incident.
I never saw it again.

I was told to quarter at the hotel and stay there, which I did.
All this sounds well, but the reality was different. So many inci-
dents were crowded in my experience during the four or five days
of our detention there that I am unable to recount them in limited
time and space. After my hotel experience I was sent to the
hospital to mess with the Surgeons. This was a very pleasant
period of my captivity, and continued for several days. Most of
them had been students in Philadelphia at the University of Penn-
sylvania and at Jefferson, and we were soon on congenial profes-
sional ground. We harmonized on medicine, but sometimes vio-
lently differed on politics. The Anderson boys were in camp
beyond the town and I visited them often.

Hearing that all of the prisoners were to be transported to
Vicksburg, for exchange, I called on the Surgeon-in-Chief of the
district. Dr. Stout, explained to him that among the prisoners —
over 1200 or 1500 — were many wounded and sick, that they
required a Surgeon, and that if he would give me an order to
accompany them it would save the supplying of one of their own.
He at once appreciated the situation, and gave me an order to that
effect and also to draw supplies from the medical posts at the
various points we stopped at — Atlanta, ^Montgomery and Knox-
ville. I received on the strength of this order many articles needed
for the sick and wounded during our trip. When we reached a
small village, south of the Florida and Alabama line, orders were
received to return, and doubling on our tracks we headed north,
our destination being Richmond. This whole journey was severe,
but useful and instructive. We passed through the heart of the
Southern Confederacy, and discovered its hollowness and weak-
ness. There were few able-bodied men in sight, they being in the
front about Richmond and Vicksburg and other threatened points.
Women, old men, worn-out men, crippled negroes and children
constituted the population. Wherever the train stopped we were
welcomed by choice uncomplimentary epithets and bold-faced
chaffing. The boys were ready in answering, and returned with
interest these denunciations. . I was fearful lest they would go
too far and some violence be offered, but beyond cuss words they
escaped.

152 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Our trip occupied about three weeks before we reached Rich-
mond. The train stopped opposite the city and the prisoners
marched over the long bridge and up to Libby Prison front, where
they were counted, checked off and assigned to different points.
All of my Comrades were taken to Mayo Prison. I was assigned
to the Libby Prison Hospital, and found myself among Confeder-
ate Surgeons, who treated me very well.

My detention in Libby was of short duration — five or six days
only — when, with released soldiers, several U. S. Surgeons and
some citizens who had been detained for various causes, princi-
pally their loyalty to the Government, we were forwarded to City
Point, near Petersburg, to take the U. S. flag-of -truce boat to
return to our country, via Annapolis and Washington. While
promenading on the deck of the flag-of-truce boat, after it had
got well under way, I was approached by a citizen stranger, who
inquired if I had been a prisoner, and when and where captured.
I answered at Stone River battle, near Murfreesboro. He asked
me to walk to the bow of the boat, that there was a gentleman there
who wished to see me — surprising me very much. I went with
him, when he introduced me to two others — one calling himself
Jackson, a tall, slim man — of about thirty-five or thirty-six years
of age, as near as I could judge. He seemed very much interested
in the news of the engagement, and at once asked if the Fifteenth
Pennsylvania Cavalry were engaged and as to the casualties. I
gave my version of it, and how I got into trouble. I was
asked if Colonel Palmer was in command, and if not, whether I
knew anything about him. "I did not. I had never met the
Colonel; that since I joined the Regiment at Carlisle he was a
mystery, and all my inquiries concerning him elicited the only
reply, 'We don't know.' " "Well," I was answered, "you may
possibly meet him in Washington." Then we separated. In due
time the boat reached Fortress Monroe and Annapolis, and we
disembarked and took the train to Washington.

On the first day after our arrival there I was strolling down
Pennsylvania Avenue with a friend, and passing Willard's Hotel,
then a great military officers' exchange, we went in, hoping to
meet some acquaintances or friends. As we entered the saloon
we came face to face with my flag-of-truce acquaintances. The
recognition was mutual, and we pledged our meeting in some

From Stone River to Lihby. 153

champagne. Mr. Jackson asked if I had met Colonel Palmer yet.
I answered I had not, but I would like very much to do so. He
then told me that if I would be in the telegraph office at 12 p.]m.
I would see him. That evening I waited around the office until
after 10 o'clock, and being very much fatigued, sat down on a
chair near the operator's window, determined to perform my part
of the appointment. But sleep overcame me, and I did not awake
until I A.M., too late for my engagement. I felt very much dis-
appointed, but dismissed the matter from my mind.

After securing a leave of absence I returned to my home in
Middletown. Many of my friends and acquaintances were aston-
ished to see me, believing I had been lost and would never return.
When my leave had expired I left home to rejoin my Regiment,
then encamped at Murfreesboro. On arriving there I met some of
the members of the Regiment quartered near the town, who
invited me to stay with them until morning. While there, on the
following morning, one of the company shouted, "There comes
Colonel Palmer!" The Colonel and staff rode up, saluted, and
seeing me he at once cordially greeted me. It was instant, mutual
recognition — "Mr. Jackson," of the flag-of-truce boat. No allu-
sion or explanation of the past was made. We knew each other.

WILL WARD'S HUNT FOR HIS BROTHER,
THE MAJOR.

W. W. WARD (deceased).

[The following was written by Major Ward's brother Will, a short time
after he returned from Murfreesboro with the body of his brother, and has
never been previously published. Will Ward died in 1870. Major Ward's
brother, Charles, was in the Confederate Cavalry service, and while his
brother lay wounded to death in Dr. Manson's house, Charles' regiment
was only a short distance away ; but they never got to see each other, al-
though the Confederate officers made the efifort to bring it about. The con-
stant shifting of commands prevented their finding Charles until their forces
were driven back. Will's experience in hunting his wounded brother had
its counterpart in many families, both North and South, and is a sad history
of the trials which many households passed through.] — Editor.

ON Friday, January 2, 1863, on my way to dinner, I met a
friend, who, with a serious face, said : "Do you know that
your brother, Major Ward, was killed?" "No," I quickly
answered. "How do you know it?" "A big fight is going on at
Alurfreesboro,- and Frank was one of the first killed. You will
hear soon enough," was his reply. I turned back and was soon
in the telegraph office. The face of my friend, M. C, the super-
intendent, was anything but encouraging. In reply to my inquiry
he said: "Your brother is no doubt killed; read this," and
handing me a copy of a telegram East, the following passage left
me no hope: "Majors Rosengarten and Frank B. Ward, of
the Anderson Cavalry, killed." There was something positive
about the message, and with heavy heart I wended my way home
to break the sad news to my parents. A bitter task it was — to tell
them that their youngest son, the pride of their hearts, the hope
of their declining years ; the boy who had enlisted to fight the
battles of his country for the preservation of the Union — and
that, too, with an elder brother in the rebel ranks — to tell them
that he was no more. I will not dwell on the sad scene which
followed. Its counterpart has been witnessed in thousands of
154

MAJOR FRANK B. WARD
-Mortally wounded at Stone River. Died January 11. 1863

Will Ward's Hunt for His Brother, the Major. 155

family circles in the past two years. That night I watched the
telegrams closely, but found not a ray of hope.

On the 3d I got my friend Mr. Bradley, of the Fort Wayne
Railroad Company, to telegraph to Louisville in regard to send-
ing for the body. The answer came from Col. J. B. Anderson :
"Major B. is intrusted with sending for the body of Major Rosen-
garten. Shall I send metalHc coffei for body of Major Ward?"
I answered, "Yes." On Sunday, the 4th, I searched every
paper I could get, but without any encouragement. At the tele-
graph office I was told that there was no doubt of Frank's being
killed, as a number of messages had gone over the line in which
it was repeated, but just as I started to leave the office the opera-
tor called me and read the following :

Nashville, January 4th.
W. \N. Ward :

Your brother, Major F. B. Ward, was seriously wounded on
December 29th. You had better come on.

De Coursey.

Knowing the author, I did not hesitate a minute. It was well
on to II P.M.^ but I found my partner, arranged business and,
without luggage, started to the depot. I left Pittsburg at 1.40 a.m.,
on the Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad. Throu'gh the kind-
ness of Mr. Augustus Bradley, the superintendent, I had a state-
room, and one just as comfortable as on a steamboat. These
sleeping cars are very heavy and consequently run much smoother
than an ordinary passenger car. Putting my boots outside to
secure a dime's worth of blacking, I pulled the door to and retired,
but not to sleep, for the excitement I had been under and was
still under prevented my enjoying that luxury. About 6 a.m.
we were called for breakfast, and after a hasty wash we entered
the breakfast room at Alliance, where in the short space of twenty
minutes an amount of food was disposed of that would have
scared a Southern landlord. The cry, "all aboard !" soon cleared
the room, and we were soon under way again.

At Crestline I parted with my kind friend Mr. Bradley, and
took the train for Indianapolis and Louisville, where I arrived
on the 6th instant, at 5 a.m., and proceeded to the National Hotel.
Refreshed by a bath, I got the morning papers, but found in them

156 History of the FiftcciitJi Pennsylvania Cavalry.

no comfort for my particular case. Shortly after breakfast an
incident occurred which cheered me a little. A reporter for the
Philadelphia Inquirer went up to an officer and shook him heartily
by the hand, saying: "Why, Adjutant! We have had you killed
a month ago. I wrote a sketch of your life and particulars of
your death, as given me by the best authority." The officer said
he had heard himself that he was among the dead, but to the best
of his belief and feelings he was a mighty live man yet. Surely,
thought I, there is hope for me yet.

Finding that I could not leave Louisville without a pass from
General Boyle, whose office was not open until 11, I sauntered
up to the depot and called on Colonel Anderson, the Military
Superintendent of the L. & N. R. R., who told me he had sent a
colored man on with coffins for Majors Rosengarten and Ward.
When I told him that my brother was alive at last accounts, he
seemed much pleased, and said he hoped he might not need the
coffin for many years. Leaving the depot I wended my way to
General Boyle's headquarters, and was soon in possession of that
important slip of paper styl'ed a "pass."

How little we in the North know of the inconveniences the
people in the border States have to suffer under military law !
In the North the only thing we see that resembles a pass is some-
body's check filled up for so many dollars, and, like the pass, the
value is in the signature. As there was no train until the next
day, I walked around, saw many friends, and bought a leather
haversack and some medicines for gunshot wounds, for, having
been shot once myself, I knew from experience what to take in
case hospital stores were scarce. . Before going to bed I got a
servant to fill my haversack with eatables to be ready for my
journey.

The next morning, January 7th, I found crowds at the depot
waiting to pass the guards at the doors of the cars. Only those
showing the military pass could enter the cars. Having no one
to care for but myself, I was soon seated and could observe the
many trying scenes. I noticed a lady crying bitterly, and on
inquiry found that her husband was among the wounded. He
was Colonel of an Ohio regiment. She had arrived in Louisville
at daybreak, breakfasted and hurried to the depot and bought her
ticket, but was dismayed, on trying to enter the car, to find that a

Will Ward's Hunt for His Brother, the Major. 157

pass was necessary. A gentleman who appeared to know her hus-
band took the matter in hand, and by his exertions she was pro-
vided for, as I afterward noticed her among the passengers.
The efforts made by some parties not having passes to get aboard
were novel and somewhat amusing. A Hebrew came to my win-
dow, which I had hoisted, and said in a very bland tone : "Mister,
will you be so kind as to go to the other side of the car and raise
a window, that I may crawl in ?" Knowing the severity of mili-
tary law I respectfully declined.

Another party with a clerical look approached, and with a bow
said: "Sir, I wish to ask a favor of you." "Go ahead," I said.
"Will you let me look at your pass ?" "Why?" said I. "I would
like you to loan it to me, so I may pass the guard at the door.
and will return it to you as soon as I get in." Now, while I felt
a heartfelt sympathy for all who wanted to go, I could scarcely
suppress the contempt I felt for this individual, but I declined to
trust my pass to him.

The cry, "all aboard !" followed by a puff from the engine, put
a stop to the rush, and we were soon leaving Louisville — a mixed
crowd. There was a delegation from Philadelphia, one from
Illinois, and one from Indiana, besides many from the Western
States in parties of from three to five, and some, like myself, going
alone, but all on anxious errands. There were four ladies in the
party — Mrs. General Stanley, Mrs. Major Slemmer, Mrs. Colonel
Moody and the lady before mentioned. All were quiet for a
while, communing with their own thoughts. Gradually conver-
sation sprang up on various topics. Behind me sat some farmers
from Indiana, who were looking at the land we were traveling
over, making remarks not at all complimentary to Kentucky
farming. At one place, where it was somewhat swampy, covered
with low bush, one sang out : "Look there, Aleck ! what would
you be doing with that land in Indiana? Let it lie idle, eh?"
"Why, I would clear, drain and ditch it and raise a crop of corn."

"Raise ! you couldn't raise a crop of frogs," was the remark

made by a rough fellow standing close by. Politics, war, religion
— all were being discussed. Quite an exciting discussion was going
on in the center of our car between a Kentucky officer and a big,
rough Hoosier, on the everlasting "nigger," in which the officer
got much the worst of it, in the opinion of the crowd.

158 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

We soon arrived at Colesburg, the terminus of our steam con
veyance, and here we got the first sight of the bandit Morgan's
work. The depot had been burned, and from that point for thirty
miles below he had destroyed everything that would burn. We
rode two miles farther on a construction trestle which is about
400 feet long and 120 feet high. Here we got ofif to foot it, and
having no baggage to encumber me, I started down the hill on a
run, determined to keep the advance. I soon overtook a young
man who was alone and asked him where he was bound. He re-
plied : "Nashville." On my inquiring if he knew the country, he
said he had run as conductor on this road for eleven months and
knew it well. I told him I was alone, and if my company suited
him we would foot it together and leave the crowd. He cheer-
fully assented, and we struck ofif at a gait which was difficult for
the balance to follow. Crossing the valley we had a fine view of
the gap made in the road by Morgan, and, ascending the opposite
hill, we took the railroad track and, turning round, our eyes fell
upon a beautiful but strange scene. In the valley through which
we had just passed were stationed a large number of soldiers,
many of them on picket duty, while the smoke curling from their
tents and huts told of life within. Hurrying along through the
troops was a mixed throng which with the soldiers produced a
combination of colors, suggestive of Joseph's coat. It was our
company of fellow-passengers who were not so fast in starting
off as we. We followed the track for about a mile and came to
the tunnel. Now, it may seem a very simple thing to walk
through a tunnel without a lantern, but just try it once, before
you make up your mind. This tunnel is three-quarters of a mile
in length and perfectly straight and level. As we entered the one
end, the other end appeared but a short distance off, and the glare
of light served only to blind us. There are three shafts for air-
holes. We could not distinguish the ties, but by keeping our eyes
fastened downward we could distinguish the rails, our only guide.

On gaining the outlet we found we had left the rest of the
passengers far behind, excepting an old fellow from Indiana, of
at least fifty years, who, with a carpetsack weighing. not less than
forty pounds, was hard after us. After him was a stoutly built
young Ohio chap, and a Major of the Eleventh Ohio, who seemed
determined to be as fast as we were. A party of five, we hurried

I'Vill Ward's Hunt for His Brother, the Major. 159

on to Elizabethtown together. While footing it we had ample
evidence of how thoroughly that outlaw, John Morgan, had done
his work. Every culvert that had a beam to it was burnt, and
here again we made time, for we walked across the rails, while
many of the party, as we afterward learned, crossed the ditches.
About a mile this side of Elizabethtown my young friend pro-
posed that we should take a clay road that crossed the track.
Old Indiana and young Ohio objected, and said, "The track is a
sure thing;" but the Major and I stuck to our guide, got into
Elizabethtown, had dinner and were ready to start on to Nolin
Station before the wagons with the other passengers arrived.

Having ample time to look around we here saw the damage
done by Morgan to the town. A number of houses showed
marks of his cannon by extra ventilators, put in on short notice.
At the John Hill House, where we dined, Morgan forgot to
pay his bill, when he made it his headquarters. On looking round
for a conveyance for the ten miles we had yet to go, we asked
one man what he would charge a passenger. "Only five dollars,"
was the answer. Now had we been staunch rebels we might have
gone for less, I thought. After looking farther we found a
farmer who was going to Nolin Station. The Major, our young
guide and I chartered the wagon for five dollars, and we were on
our way before our party had got to town. On the way we over-
took some tired soldiers, who asked to ride. "Have you any
money," asked the farmer. "Oh, yes.", "All right, then," was
the answer. About two miles this side of Nolin Station all of
our soldiers but one got out to join the wagon train from which
they had straggled, and on the farmer asking for his pay he was
told to charge it to Uncle Sam. He laughed in spite of himself.
Having a creek to cross this side of Nolin Station we left the
wagon, and the soldier who was still with us, paid his fare. He
had about seventy pounds of baggage, as he was carrying that of
a comrade along with his own ; so, volunteering to help him, I
took his carpetsack,andwe all started across the foot log or rather
tree that was felled for the purpose. It was a ticklish job for a
man unencumbered, let alone with baggage. My comrades got
over all right — so did the soldier ; and, soldierlike, they all kept
advising me to keep away from the water. Now, in all probabil-
ity if they had let me alone I should have got over dry, but, just

i6o History of the Fifteenth Pcwisylvania Cavalry.

as I thought I was safe, in I went "ker-souse," over boot top,
and then, didn't they laugh at me ? Once again on terra firma I
struck out in the lead, and we were soon at one of the few (not
more than six) small houses in Nolin Station, As there were
about 200 people to be accommodated, after engaging supper,
bed and breakfast, we congratulated ourselves on being in the
advance. As the passengers continued to arrive until midnight,
they slept in the car or wherever they could.

On the 8th we were all at the cars long before they were ready
to move, and crowding in got started at 10 a.m. At the next sta-
tion we took on a colored man who had two coffins in charge,
one marked "Major Rosengarten" and the other "Major Ward."
This certainly looked like death, but, knowing the circumstances,
I tried to keep up a good heart. I saw the colored man at once.
His name was Andrew Trabur, and when I told him I had strong
hopes of finding Major Ward living, he wished me success. I
arranged to meet him in Nashville. At Bowling Green two
officers got aboard who had left Nashville that morning. On
inquiring of one of them, Captain R., he told me that Major
Ward was undoubtedly dead. He had heard so officially the day
before. With a sad heart I took my seat, and the silence of my
companions told me, stronger than words could express, that they
shared my sorrow. We arrived at Nashville at 7 p.m., and hurry-
ing to the Commercial Hotel I soon had a room engaged — the
last one to be had in the house. We were told that we would
have to go to a restaurant for supper, which I did. Eating a
very frugal meal at a very luxurious price, I was soon out to hunt
the Major.

I first started to the St. Cloud Hotel, thinking that some of the
officers there could tell me something about him. I met with no
success, and was crossing the street to go to the Medical Direc-
tory, when I heard a familiar voice call my name. I had not
heard that voice for more than a year, and although it was dark
and 600 miles from where I last heard it, I at once recognized it
as the voice of my old chum Will, now Lieutenant McClure.
From him I learned that my brother was alive, and from all ac-
counts had a chance of recovery, but, strange to say, he could
not be found. "Come along with me and see Airs. B. ; she is a
great friend of Frank's, and knows more about it than anyone

Will JVard's Hunt for His Brother, the Major. i6i

else." In a few minutes I was in Mrs, B.'s parlor, listening to her
story, which ran thus :

Dr. Kelly, one of our army Surgeons with whom she was well
acquainted, had dressed Frank's wounds on the second day after
he was shot. He was then at a house near Murfreesboro. Al-
though so badly wounded as to be thought mortally so by some.
Dr. Kelly thought with his youth and powerful constitution he
might get through. Only two days ago a Surgeon, who was out
in front and had brought a lot of wounded into Nashville, told
Dr. Kelly that he had dressed the wounds of a Major out in the
front, who was shot through the left breast ; that the young man
had given him directions where to send word to his friends, in
case he died, and in corroboration handed Dr. Kelly a slip of
paper with the following directions : "Dr. W. A. Ward, Pitts-
burg." He further said that the Major had been brought into
Nashville with other wounded, and that he was put in a private
house where he would receive all attention, but he could not give
Dr. Kelly the location of the house. Dr. Kelly had searched for
him at the request of Mrs. B., but had not found him.

I was satisfied that Frank was now in Nashville, and started off
on the hunt. Before I started Mrs. B. told me to let her know
as soon as I found him, and she would fix a place for him and see
him properly attended to. I said to myself as I left her door :
"God bless you for a true-hearted woman." In the street in a
large city, my brother lying seriously wounded in a private house.
Where? Echo answered "where?" With Lieutenant McClure
I commenced my search — first to the Medical Directory ofitice,
then to the hospitals where officers were, and every place I could
think of where I might get a clue. Every now and again I would
pass up the street where the principal undertaker had his store,
and there on the pavement two rough coffins, each containing a
metallic case, would stare me in the face — one marked "Major
Rosengarten," the other "Major Ward." Oh, how those grue-
some boxes worried me ! I cannot describe my feelings every
time I looked at them. There was my brother's coffin, and,
beyond a reasonable doubt, he was alive and in the city, but
where? At midnight I had to give it up for lack of chances for
information. It looked as if all the principal buildings were
illuminated, all in use as hospitals, and every time I would pass

11

i62 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

one of them I would naturally inquire of myself : "Can he be
there?" and then reply: "No, at a private house."

About I o'clock I retired in a room where were two wounded
men, but long before daylight I was out again on my search. I
will not attempt to describe my hunt on the 9th instant, nor how
many and various were the rumors in regard to my brother.
One man said he had seen a man who told him he saw my
brother's coffin marked and shipped in the express office.
Straight to that ofifice I went and found that they had shipped no
bodies yet, and on tracing the story up, I found that it originated
from that box in the street that fairly haunted me — a coffin
marked "Major F. B. Ward," but so far empty. In fact so strong
was the evidence that my brother was in the city (circumstantial
evidence strong enough to convict a man for murder) that we
traced him to Cherry Street and, finding no other course, we
commenced knocking at the doors of private houses and asking:
"Are there any wounded here?" "Yes." "Who are they and
where are they wounded?" The answer in all cases was against
my hopes. There were Lieutenant McClure and four others be-
sides myself hunting the Major, but darkness came on and still
no success ; but the evidence was so positive that he was alive and
recovering that I sought the colored man who had the coffins in
charge and told him I would not detain him longer — that he
might go right East with Major Rosengarten's body, which was
already in another coffin. So, giving him a draft for the two
coffins and expenses, I let him go. I could have sold the coffins
at a handsome advance, but I felt it would be invoking a judg-
ment on me, in my trouble, to try to profit on the misery around
me. At the request of Lieutenant McClure and the others, I
walked out to the camp of the Anderson Cavalry, to stay all
night with my brother's companions in arms. After arriving at
camp, and while passing up one of the streets of the tents, we
heard some one say: "Well, I saw our Major to-day, and he is
doing first rate." I was in that tent in less time than it takes to
tell it and soon learned all. Captain Smith, of the Anderson
Cavalry, had the day before gone out to Murfreesboro to look
after the wounded, and had just returned. He found my brother
at the house of Dr. Manson, near where he first fell, where he
was first carried and whence he had never been removed. Dr.

IVill IVard's Hunt for His Brother, the Major. 163

Kelly had dressed his wounds there, as also the other Surgeon
must have done, but how he came by the slip of paper I have
never learned. The Captain told me that the Surgeons said my
brother would recover. He had now lived eleven days. His
voice was firm and he had sent in for some delicacies. He had
asked if I was coming, and his Comrades had told him I was,
although they had not heard so. Just as the mercury in a ther-
mometer, taken from the outside of a house on a winter day and
hung above the kitchen fireplace, rises, so did my spirits rise. I
rode back to town and turned the coffins over to the undertaker.
I was glad to get rid of the sight of them, and hurried back to
camp again to make an early start for the front in the morning.

That night was one of the most pleasant I ever spent in or out
of camp. There were about ten soldiers in the party, all warm
friends of my brother, who had served with him both as private
and officer. Lighting our pipes, all the anecdotes of the fight and
how nobly their two Majors had acted were discussed, and joke
after joke was told. One I well remember. Lieutenant Sproul
asked the party if they knew that I had gone into business in
Nashville. In answer to the question, "how?" he said I had gone
into the coffin business, as he had seen me buy and sell two coffins
that evening. Such is human nature ! While on the hunt for
twenty-four hours for the Major, every man seemed as anxious
as myself, but now that he was found living and likely to recover,
no joke was spared that would keep alive the spirits of the party.
About II o'clock I "turned in" with one of the party, with gum
blanket on the ground and a good warm one to cover us. The
last time I had slept in that way was with Frank at Camp Car-
lisle. It had been raining all evening and was now coming down
in torrents, and every now and then the wind would rise and
break with such force against our tent as to give cause to fear
we might be unroofed. After breakfast we started into town in
an ambulance. We spent some time in search of delicacies, and
then could not get what we most wanted — lemons. W^e met with
so many delays that it was 12 o'clock ere we were fairly started
out of the city. There was not much of interest until we were
five miles out, and then a dead horse here and there, with occa-
sionally a grave or two on either side of the road, told of the
commencement of the skirmishing. Not a fence was left to show

164 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

that the residences along this pike were once well improved.
Those that were not removed for cavalry fighting had been used
as fuel for the soldiers. The same scenes were apparent all the
way to Murfreesboro, only increasing in magnitude with every
mile of approach. We caught up to a wagon train about seven
miles out from Nashville, and it seemed impossible to pass it, as
the other side of the road was taken up by empty wagons return-
ing and ambulances filled with wounded. We had twenty miles
farther to go, and our time must be made on the pike, for the last
seven miles was a wretched mud road. Captain Smith told me
not to be uneasy, for the soldier who was driving was as anxious
to get to the Major as I was. Also that he was a capital driver, and
if the team would stand it we would pass everything on the road.
The driver was a man who, when at home, filled a position in
society equal to any. That's the kind of men we have fighting
for our country. I was soon satisfied of the truth of the Captain's
remark, for we did pass everything. Now and then some of the
soldiers, escorting the train of 400 wagons, would swear and look
defiantly, but our driver proved an excellent judge of human
nature, for sometimes he would sing out: "Give away there!"
"Stir yourself !" "Do you want to be run over?" "Clear the track,
will you.?'' Then noticing the stubborn, determined look of some
of the party not to be moved in that way, he would, in the bland-
est tones, say: "Will you obHge me by making room to pass?
Am in a great hurry to get a wounded officer out front." With-
out a word the escort would move, bending to his request like
an easy, good-natured judge to an oily-tongued lawyer. And
thus, driving and pushing through intricacies that might have
balked a regular jockey, he worked on, and we did pass everything
on the road. At Lavergne we stopped at the little creek and
watered our team. Here they showed me where some of their
comrades fell when the enemy attacked the wagon train in the
rear, and right at the bridge one of their number, Mr. Weikel. is
buried. When started again I opened a box of sardines, and
with some hard bread we made a good luncheon. All this time
Lieutenant McClure was accompanying us on horseback. Pass-
ing out the sardines to him, he took his dinner at a full gallop as
comfortably as we did inside, and riding up to the ambulance we
handed him the flask, which he attended to just as easily, if not

Jl'"ill Ward's Hunt for His Brother, the Major. 165

more so, than the eating part. I wanted no better evidence of
how men learn to live on horseback than the ease with which
my friend stowed away his dinner while on full gallop.

Here at Lavergne was a true picture of war — houses burned,
dead horses in scores, and graves in abundance of both Union
and rebel soldiers ; while the tires and ironwork of sixty of our
wagons, burnt by the rebels, completed a picture which has to be
seen to be conceived. So many accounts of the fight have been
written that I will not attempt to go over it again, but from here
on to Murfreesboro was one continual battlefield — every foot of
it fought for and won by the most stubborn fighting. None of
the accounts that I have since read relates half the victory that
here showed itself. Three miles farther out we overtook the
conveyance that had started two hours in advance of us. We
had now passed everything, and at the twenty-mile post from
Nashville we turned to the right into a corn field. We all got
out but our good driver, as our team was pretty nearly played
out, and, to make matters worse, our best horse began to balk;
but, by dint of a good whip and language more emphatic than
classical, we would get him started again, until he would take an-
other notion to play the stubborn mule. We made the next seven
miles by dark, through miserable roads, and when only half a
mile from the house where my brother was, we came to a large
mud puddle. Our driver held his team at rest for a few moments
and then started at full gallop to go through, for, as he said, "if
I cannot get them through that way we shall have trouble ; the
bay will balk and the gray mare is played out." When about
half way through they stuck, the hind wheels in water above the
hub. As nearly everyone has seen such situations, I will not go
into details of the strong language used, the sticks broken in
trying to beat the poor brutes out of it, and the many efforts with
rails, etc. ; but after spending half an hour uselessly, we all, ex-
cepting our driver, got into the water and took hold of the wheels.
I happened to be at the right hind wheel, and although the water
was over the hub, where I stood it was not over boot top. It
never occurred to me that if the team did start out I might go in
the hole. It did start and I went in up to my knees, but what did
I care? I would soon be with my brother, and I would have laid
down in it rather than lose an hour. We were soon at the front

i66 History of the Fifteenth Pcnnsyk'aiiia Cavalry.

of the house, where a big negro, a slave, was waiting. He had
heard of me from one of the men who arrived before I did, and
he it was who was nursing the Major.

He was all anxiety. "Has the Major's brudder come? Is he
coming? I wants to see him." Telling him who I was, he shook
my hand and was out of sight in an instant. One of the men who
was in the room with Frank when old Martin, the slave, came up
said he did not think Martin took more than two steps up the
whole flight of stairs to tell the good news. He stepped up to
the bed and said: "Major, your brudder's comin'. He'll soon
be here. Ise so glad." The host, Dr. Manson, met me at the
gate, and to my inquiry, "How is my brother?" said: "Very
feeble just now. I have just dress.ed his wounds and he has had
a sinking spell, but is now recovering, and I am glad you are
here." He further said that he still had a chance of recovery, but
that he must not be allowed to talk. I might talk to him and tell
him all about home, but he must be kept quiet. He said he was
shot through the left lung, the ball passing through the pericar-
dium (the sac that holds the heart), and the water from about the
heart had run out through the wound. The ball made its exit
under his left shoulder blade, making a ghastly wound there.
When they brought him to the doctor's house it was thought he
could not survive the night, but he rallied toward morning, and
now, having lived twelve days, we had good grounds for hope.
The doctor told me to go up and see him, and I was soon beside
his bed. He stretched out his hand, and, with a good voice, said :
"How are you, Will? I'm glad to see you. How are they at
home ?" I told him not to talk and I would tell him all about home,
which I did, giving him an account of my trip, etc. Poor fellow !
When I last saw him, not two months before, he weighed 175
pounds, and being six feet two inches in his socks, was as fine a
specimen of the physical man as could be found anywhere ; but
twelve days of bleeding and suffering of the worst kind had altered
him until he looked twice his age. I told him I had come to stay
with him, and when he was able we would talk over old times and
home ; so, hanging my coat on the bedpost and drawing ofif my
wet boots, I sat down before the fire. For the first time since
I left home I had time to meditate. I had found the boy alive,
but that was all.

JJ^ill Jfard's Hunt for His Brother, the Major. 167

My other erring brother was not many miles off, for shortly
after the Major was brought to this very house I was now in
some rebel troops came up and took prisoners all that were in it,
excepting my brother Frank and a comrade who escaped by
a little strategy. Among the rebels was a Captain of the Fourth
Kentucky Cavalry, the same regiment to which my brother
Charlie belonged. ?xlrs. Manson, the lady of the house, sent
word by this Captain to Charlie that his brother was in a dying
condition in her house, but before he had time to respond to the
call, our troops w-ere in possession again of the house, and this
prevented a meeting of the brothers who were fighting against
each other — the one for the cause of liberty and the preservation
of the Union, the other for a cursed aristocracy. Poor, blind,
misguided man ! May he soon leave a hopeless and wicked cause,
and by some means retrieve his acts !

I sent the nurse to bed, after getting directions what to do.
Frank wanted to talk, but I would stop him, and every now and
then he would ask for water. Two full canteens were kept hang-
ing at the head of the bed, and inserting a rubber tube in the can-
teen he would take the other end in his mouth and drink, although
every swallow was a painful one. He now commenced to doze,
and when half asleep would dream and be delirious. Sometimes
he would imagine himself in camp with his old comrades down
in Huntsville, Ala., and then he seemed happy. To stop his
talking, which was injurious, I would have to speak to him, and,
knowing my voice, he would be quiet for a while. Sometimes he
would imagine himself on the field where he fell, and would give
orders again. He was talking to his brave cavalry leader, General
Stanley, whom it was plain to see he had learned to love ; and
thus, until 3 o'clock Sunday morning, he kept on, when, thinking
he was worse, I awoke his comrade, John Skillen, who was his
nurse at present, and told him I thought he was more delirious
than when I came in, and that he, knowing his case, had better
take charge, which he did. Through the night I had written a
long letter home, encouraging them there, for now that my hopes
were raised, I thought he would get well. Folding the letter up
I put it in my pocket to send the next day, and lay down beside
the sick soldier, who occupied the other bed.

About 6 o'clock I got up, and Mr. Skillen told me that he had

i68 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

not been so well for the past three hours, but that he would no
doubt soon rally. I did not fear anything immediately, as I
knew from experience that the hours from 2 a.m. until daylight
are the hardest on sick persons. So, after speaking to him occa-
sionally, I went downstairs to breakfast. We were seated but
a few moments, and I was just putting my cup of coffee to my
lips, when a hand was laid on my shoulder. I turned round and
met the gaze of Dr. Manson, who said : "You had better come up-
stairs, your brother is dying." For the first time I felt crushed.
Just after I had left his bedside he turned to his faithful comrade,
Skillen, and said: "John, I am going now." Mr. Skillen called
the doctor, who found it too true, and came at once for me. I
was soon at his side, and reaching out his hand to me he grasped
mine and said in a calm, clear voice: "Will, I am dying. Say
good-bye for me to all at home." Completely unmanned, I was
like a little child. He threw his arms around my neck, and kiss-
ing me, said : "Cheer up. Will ! Don't cry ! Cheer up ! Tell
Charlie I died like a man." I said : "Frank, are you afraid to
die?" A sweet smile spread over his face, and with a firm voice
he said, "No, sir," in a tone that made all feel it deeply.

The same self-possession that was his in private life, that at-
tended him on the battlefield when he felt he was mortally
wounded, attended him now in his dying hour. Every other
person in that room was overcome. He bade each of his com-
rades good-bye, as though he were going away on a visit, and
seeing old Martin, the faithful slave who had nursed him, he held
out his hand and, taking Martin's, said : "Good-bye, Martin ;"
then bade the doctor and his family farewell. In a few moments
he rallied a little and, folding his hands on his breast, he said :
"Our Father, who are in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy
kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Amen." While everyone in that room joined in that beautiful
prayer, his voice alone could be heard, and this too while suffer-
ing intensely. Internal hemorrhage had set in. He asked me to
sing, but I was so powerless I could not, and he began to the
tune of "Old Hundred," and sang:

"Be Thou, O God, exalted high !
And as Thy glory fills the sky.
So let it be on earth displayed,
Till Thou art here as there obeyed."

Will Ward's Hunt for His Brother, the Major. 169

His calmness and resignation overcame everyone in the room.
His song seemed like the song of the dying swan, strong in
death. Shortly afterward he released his arms from about my
neck, and his lower limbs were then icy cold. Beckoning to
Lieutenant McClure, who was on the other side of him, he said :
"Straighten my legs." His knees had been drawn up in bed and
he had not power to straighten them out. He made a motion for
us to get away from before him ; he wanted air and light. So
drawing the curtains and hoisting the window, a stream of strong
sunlight beamed in on his suffering form, and lingering thus for
nearly half an hour, between life and death, we hardly knew when
he ceased to breathe, until Captain Smith took down a little
round shaving glass, and holding it to his lips it showed no moist-
ure. Thus he died — another victim to the plots of the disunion-
ists.

We were far away from home, in the enemy's country and in
the house of a secessionist, but how beautifully was Christ's com-
mand, "love your enemy," here obeyed; for if Frank had been
their own son the doctor and his wife could not have used him
more kindly. I asked Lieutenant McClure to ride to Nashville
and, if possible, to procure one of the coffins I had sold two days
before, and also to telegraph his death hom.e. The doctor and the
soldiers who were present told me to go down to rest and they
would do all that was necessary for the body. I went out in
front of the house and found a man putting the horses in the am-
bulance and preparing it for the body. Looking out on the road
I saw four men approaching at full gallop. In a few minutes
they were at the gate, and I recognized Lieutenant Maple, of
General Rosecrans' bodyguard, and three of his men — all old
comrades of the Major. When I told them that he had died only
twenty minutes previously, the eyes of every man of them filled
with tears. Dismounting, they entered the house to take a fare-
well look at their old comrade. While they were upstairs I
called the doctor aside. As he attended Frank as physician, I
fully expected a bill for professional services as well as for the
bed, which was ruined. I asked him what I owed him. "Noth-
ing," was the reply. I could hardly believe it, but he would accept
no compensation. Hunting up old Martin, the kind, faithful
nurse, I made him a present, and then was ready to leave.

170 History of the Fifteenth Peiuisylvania Cavalry.

In a short time they brought the body down, dressed only in
drawers and shirt; everything else was gone. I would not wait
to- make a box, so, wrapping a blanket around him, after binding
the jaw and limbs, they put him in the ambulance. I felt a
repugnance to riding in the ambulance, so John Skillen told me
to take his horse and he would ride in my place. When mounted
Lieutenant Maple proposed that I should ride over the ground
where he fell, and then go to Rosecrans' headquarters, to which
I gladly assented, and we started off at full gallop. In a short
time we were on ground that told of severe fighting, and after
wandering over field after field, and seeing corpses that had lain
unburied for ten days, we came to the spot where the brave
Andersons made their fearful charge. The men first recognized
the spot by the black horse Major Rosengarten rode. This horse
had been in service since General Buell first took command in
1861. He belonged to Captain Palmer, the founder of the original
Anderson Troop, and the present Anderson Cavalry. Major
Rosengarten rode him in the fight, and the horse was killed first,
he afterward. "Here's the spot! Here's old ZollicofTer"
(the horse). Sure enough, every man knew him. Just beside
was a tree that a shell had pierced, and someone, cutting a
smooth surface, had put Rosengarten's name there, with the
date of his death. The ground seemed to be sacred. Here my
two brothers had met, not to know each other, for the last time on
earth. After picking up some relics we rode over some more of
the field and proceeded on to Murfreesboro.

While fording Stone River I noticed hundreds of brick chim-
neys standing, and asked Lieutenant Maple if that was the ruins of
Murfreesboro. He laughed and said : "No ; they are the chimneys
the rebels had in their tents. They did not intend leaving here,
and consequently made themselves comfortable." Murfreesboro
was soon in sight. We were soon at Rosecrans' headquarters,
a nice-looking, well-furnished, two-story house. John Morgan,
the bandit, had taken to himself a wife two weeks before the
fight, and this was the house, fitted up for the bride and groom.
Sending in my card, I was soon in the room with General Rose-
crans and staff. He shook me cordially by the hand and ex-
pressed such deep sympathy for the loss of my brother, and spoke
so highlv of his heroic conduct, that I felt that mv sorrow had

JVill Ward's Hunt for His Brother, the Major. 171

something to lighten it. Sitting down by my side, he conversed
with me on the affairs of my brother's Regiment, frequently
alluding to "the gallant conduct of the two Majors — the noble
Rosengarten and Ward," as he styled them, "whose heroic con-
duct would long be cherished by their companions in arms." He
several times referred to the noble example they set by leading
their comrades as they had done — an example which was not lost,
for after they fell, their comrades fought equally well. Every
man of those 300 fought as though all depended on him.

Their commanding officer, Colonel Palmer, was a prisoner in
Castle Thunder. Their Lieutenant-Colonel was low on a sick bed.
Their Majors, who led them, both shot, and still they fought like
heroes. General Rosecrans sent messages to Frank's parents,
and after bidding him good-bye, I rode with Lieutenant Maple to
the headquarters of the General's bodyguard.

After supper, finding it would not be safe to ride to Nashville
that night, I turned into a comfortable bed, which the boys made
for me on the floor. About 10 o'clock I heard quite a stir, and
rising I found that an orderly from General Rosecrans had come
for a detail of his bodyguard, for the purpose of sending a new
countersign to the whole army. As near as I could learn, the
countersign in use had got into possession of someone in whom
the General had not the utmost confidence ; and now, in the dark-
ness of night, these men started to headquarters, from there to
proceed to the different divisions as directed. The detail had left
but a short time when a bright light shone through the window,
and on going to the door we found that the next house to us,
about forty yards off, was on fire. It was set on fire and was the
eighth house burnt in Murfreesboro that night. Many were the
speculations as to who did it. Some said it was the East Ten-
nessee boys, as they swore revenge; others thought it was some
scoundrels doing it for pure devilment ; while others thought
it was done by secessionists as signals to their friends. As some
spies had been arrested and brought in that day, it did not seem
unlikely. Some of our men got on the roof to keep the sparks
off, and after the house had fallen in, we all turned into our
blankets and were soon asleep again. How comfortably one can
lie down to sleep when a strong military guard is posted around
the house !

172 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Feeling very sore and not able to ride horseback to Nashville,
I had made arrangements to ride in the military mail, and left in-
structions to call me early ; so about 5 o'clock I was awakened, and
found Lieutenant Maple had made me a cup of cofifee and fried
some bacon, determined that I should not go away empty. After
breakfast I started off with one of his men who was to accom-
pany me up to the post. The moon was shining brightly, and
riding out of the gate we struck through a patch of woods for a
short cut, when, after going a short distance, we were stopped
by a clear voice singing out: "Halt! who goes there?" "A
friend." "Advance and give the countersign !" "I don't need a
countersign," said my companion, who appeared used to such
things. "I am one of General Rosecrans' bodyguard, and go
where I please." "Not at present, I guess. If you can't give the
countersign, you can go to headquarters of the guard." My
guide tried to bluff him off, but it would not do. The guard called
some of his men and sent us under a file of loaded rifles to the
headquarters of the Captain of the pickets. He was a Pennsylva-
nian, of the Seventy-eighth. I produced my pass and papers
showing my errand — the taking home of my brother's body. My
papers were fortunately of a very high order, and after a closer
examination than I had hitherto undergone I was allowed
to proceed. We soon arrived at the post office, and after
waiting about an hour, the mail wagons — two army wagons
without springs, and drawn by four horses each — made their
appearance.

Bidding my guide good-bye and delivering the horse to him,
I got into the first wagon. There were the mail agent, the driver,
myself and something that looked like a woman, for she was
dressed in a wrapper. Her hair was cut short like a man's, and
her features were very coarse. She was a spy — a woman who had
been captured in men's clothes and was being sent to Nashville.
Fixing her a comfortable seat on the mail bags, I made myself
snug, and we soon started. After fording Stone River we took
the pike, which, fortunately, was pretty clear of wagon trains.
Shortly after we passed Lavergne some rebel cavalry appeared
in the road, but we were not aware of it until we were safe in
Nashville. There were only about twenty-five of them, and they
did not succeed in doing any damage. We had a pleasant ride.

IVill Ward's Hunt for His Brother, the Major. 173

except the losing of a linchpin and the wheel coming off, which
detained us for a short time.

Arriving at Nashville, at noon, I went at once to the under-
taker's and found my brother's body in the coffin I had at first
sent for him. Lieutenant McClure had ridden back, after Frank's
death, in less than four hours and secured the same coffin that
I had sold when I heard that he was recovering. His comrades
had shaven him and put on a clean linen shirt and collar, so that
he looked much more like himself than when he died. After
giving orders for the shipment of the coffin, I went, in company
with some friends, to the levee, to see about going to Louisville
by boat. We found the "Parthenia" advertised to leave positively
the next morning at 7. I asked the Captain how long he would be
in going around to Louisville. "Five days," was the answer.
Having had some experience in that line myself I knew that five
days meant at least seven, and although I needed rest, I deter-
mined to take the railroad, and wagon where that was gone.
That boat never reached Louisville. She was attacked and
burned by the rebels on the same day she left. We went from
the levee to camp, where I again stayed all night. How different
was this evening from that of the 9th, when we were all in high
spirits at the prospects of the Major's recovery! I saw all of my
friends, and after bidding them good-bye, retired. I was awakened
early and had a cup of coffee.

Although I was not a novice in camp life, yet I had never made
coffee without a mill to first grind it in, but I learned that morn-
ing how it was done. One of the men took a clean, coarse towel,
and putting the coffee into it, drew it through his hand until the
coffee in the towel was in a little bag, quite tight. Laying this
down on a piece of cord wood, he proceeded to beat it with a
stick, until it was ground quite fine, and better coffee I never
drank. We walked into town to the depot, where I found my
brother's body as well as that of Colonel Housen. of the Seventy-
seventh Pennsylvania, which I had agreed to take home to his
friends. The cars were so crowded that they put on a cattle car
without cleaning it, for the accommodation of passengers. See-
ing the coffins put on safely, I took my seat in this car, and was
soon leaving Nashville at the rate of twenty miles an hour. We
arrived at Elizabethtown at 4 p.m. The depot and bridge having

174 History of the Fiftcciit/i Pcnnsylvmiia Cavalry.

been burned, we stopped about a mile out of town, where a num-
ber of wagons were waiting to take passengers to different houses
to stop over night. I soon made a bargain for myself and charge,
but it was dark before we got them out of the cars and into the
wagons. It was raining and we had to get them up a steep bank.
It was a rough, ugly job — the coffins were metallic — but willing
hearts and hands accomplished it.

While we were looking after the dead, the other passengers
had been making arrangements for the night, and in the confu-
sion a fight had occurred between two men who lived in the
neighborhood. They were allowed to fight it out until one cried
"enough !" Judging from his appearance, I should certainly say
he had had enough. His eyes were closed and his face covered
with blood. We rode about a mile and pulled up before quite a
substantial-looking farmhouse. We laid boards over the coffins
to protect them as much as possible from the rain, and hurrying
into the house were soon before a comfortable fire. The host
was a well-to-do farmer named Kurtz. Part of the house
was one of the first forts built in Kentucky when Daniel Boone
and other early settlers had to protect themselves from Indians.
On the same ground that Boone and these brave pioneers had to
defend themselves, stockades are now built to keep off a foe
almost as destructive as the Indians. There were seventeen of
us who stopped at this house. We could not all be accom-
modated with supper at once, and while those at the first table
were putting themselves outside of corn bread, etc., the rest of
us were entertained before a good fire by our host, who gave us
a history of their present troubles. It seemed as if those at the
table were a long time getting enough to eat, but when our turn
came I ceased to wonder. I took my seat next to the hostess,
who poured the coffee and sent it around by the little darkies in
white bibs. We had roast turkey, stewed chicken, and a dish of
stufiing, which was served up like mashed potatoes. The cooking
was excellent. The conversation turned on Morgan, and as this
was one of the points on the railroad where he had done the most
damage, there were many anecdotes of interest. Our hostess told,
with a good deal of animation, her experience with one of Mor-
gan's gang.

Said she : "We had a horse that looked first-rate, but wasn't

Will Ward's Hunt for His Brother, the Major. 175

good for anything much, for after going a few hundred yards he
would fall down on his knees. Well, he was standing hitched up
right in front of the door, when one of Morgan's fellers rode up
on a first-rate bay horse, but he was played out. You see when
they get near a settlement Morgan gets some of his fellers that's
smartish about horses, and takes all the horses in the command
that are used up, and puts these fellers on 'em, and they ride to
wherever there is any good stock, get the best, and then leave the
used-up stock in place. That's how he rides, so he's always got
good stock. Well, you see when we heard that Morgan was going
to take the town we sent all the stock but this poor horse down to
my son's, who lives kinder out of the way. Well, this feller of
Morgan's rode up and very politely asked me to exchange horses.
I refused and made a great deal of fuss about it, but all the time
I was wanting him to take the old horse away, for I liked his
one. Well, he stripped the riggin' off his animal and soon had it
all on mine, and he might have got into town without finding out
he was fooled if it had not a' been for one of them little niggers,
who began grinning and hollered : T say, Mister, you'll get your
head broke, you will ; he falls on his knees,' and he had a prac-
tical illustration of it, for, putting spurs to him, he started off at
a trot, but did not go far till he came down on his knees. He
turned round, and coming back to the house, put the lixin's on
his own horse and left."

I was among those who were fortunate enough to have ar-
ranged for a bed. About half of the party slept on the floor, but
all slept soundly. We were called before daylight for breakfast,
which was as good as the supper. It still rained hard with no
prospect of stopping very soon. The old farmer and his darkies
were hitching up. The first wagon had four horses and was full
of seats, and carried fourteen persons. The next one had three
horses. There were two coffins in it — one of a young soldier
named Piper, and the other of Colonel Housen. The last wagon
had my brother's coffin in it, and was drawn by two poor-looking
horses, but much better than they looked. After we got through
EHzabethtown we met a great many teams of all descriptions,
hurrying along to Colesburg. The road was an awful one. About
four miles of it lay in a ravine, and the rains had raised what was
only a little run to quite a respectable creek. It was rough, rock

176 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

bottom, and I feared a breakdown. The darkies who drove the
wagons with the coffins were very carefiil, and drove slowly but
surely. We came upon a large spring Wagon that was hauling
passengers. The rough road had been too much for it, and the
spqkes had said "good-bye" to the felloes, and the passengers
were now footing it. Fortunately they had only a rtiile to walk.
We took their baggage in our wagon and were soon at Colesburg
Station, which consists of one house, all else having been burned.
Here all was confusion — the ground full of teams ; the rain
pouring down in torrents ; passengers going east hurrying their
baggage from wagons to cars ; passengers going west hurrying
from cars to wagons. Getting help I soon had the coffins safe in
the baggage car, in which I was also obliged to ride, although
quite sick from my drenching and nausea. We reached Louisville
in safety at 2 p.m., whence I shipped the coffins by Adams Ex-
press and felt greatly relieved. After getting dinner and drying
my clothes, I went to see Joe McCann, an intimate friend of both
Charlie and Frank, and stayed with him until it was time to take
the omnibus for Jeffersonville.

It began to snow as we left Louisville on the 14th, and before
I reached home we met snow thirteen inches deep at Crestline.
We arrived in Pittsburg on the i6th, just eleven hours behind
time. I expected the bodies by the next train, but they did not
arrive, and on telegraphing to Cincinnati T learned that they had
not arrived there yet. They finally reached here on Monday
evening, the 19th. We opened, at the depot, the rough box and
took out the metallic coffin. On removing the covering from the
glass plate I found that Frank looked even more natural than
when first put in the coffin. While in the snowstorm the body
was no doubt frozen and had that appearance. We put the coffin
in the hearse and took him home, but how unlike the return for
which we had hoped !

We buried him the next day, in the afternoon. It was a rainy,
sleeting day, horrible under foot. The military turned out, and
the first notes of the "Dead March" from a full band made us
more mournfully realize than before that we had seen him for
the last time on earth. When about half way to the cemetery
we passed the railroad depot where Frank was employed at the
breaking out of the war. The flag was at half-mast, and quite a

JVill JJ\ii'd's Hunt for His Brother, the Major. 177

procession of the workmen who knew him, and had worked
there under him, joined the cortege at this point, and notwith-
standing the dreadful weather, walked the whole distance. These
men had left their work to show their respect for him, and it was
a tribute that his friends appreciated more than any other shown
his memory. The ceremonies at the grave were, like all other
military funerals when well conducted, very impressive. The
last salute, fired after we got back to the carriages, told us that
all was now over.

Frank Biddle Ward was born December i, 1842, in Pittsburg,
Pa. From school he went into the employ of Clark & Com-
pany, the great railroad shippers, where he had been about three
years. When the war broke out, he enlisted immediately as a
private in the Duquesne Grays, Captain Kennedy, for the three
months' service. At the end of that time he re-enlisted as private
in the Anderson Troop, better known as Buell's Bodyguard, in
which he soon became Orderly Sergeant. When the troop was
raised to a Regiment, he was promoted to a Captaincy and after-
ward to Junior ]\Iajor. He was mortally wounded at the battle
of Stone River, December 29, 1862, and died January 11, 1863,
as true and gallant a soldier as ever rode to death.

Requiescat in pace!

12

AT NASHVILLE.

JOHN M. DAVIS, COMPANY B, PHILADELPHIA.

THE peculiar circumstances surrounding the organization of
the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry furnished some occa-
sion for discontent. Enlistments were made under assur-
ances that the Regiment was to be used as a bodyguard and for
special service as orderlies and couriers, though just what sort
of service this term implied was by no means clear to any member
of the Regiment. These assurances, however, by the acting offi-
cers, who were non-commissioned officers and privates of the
Anderson Troop detailed by General Buell under charge of Capt.
W. J. Palmer, were ofifered as a special inducement to enlist in a
Regiment to be under the immediate eye and direction of the
Commanding General of the Department.

It was unfortunate that so much emphasis was placed upon this
inducement by the recruiting officers. Governor Curtin subse-
quently remarked that it was bad policy to take looo young men
out of the State, each of whom presumably possessed the requisite
qualifications to be a commissioned officer, and put them into one
Regiment. It was with this understanding of special headquarter
service that all enlistments were made.

The Regiment arrived at Nashville with former non-commis-
sioned officers and privates of the original Anderson Troop tem-
porarily in command. Captain Palmer was detained in Richmond,
having been captured during the battle of Antietam. The chronic
unrest which sometimes breaks out among volunteers manifested
itself, and the Regiment, animated with a patriotic and warlike
spirit, looked on its arrival at Nashville to its promised assignment
to special headquarters duty. When it arrived there, December
24th, General Rosecrans,who had only recently superseded General
Buell, was busily engaged with his plans for the movement of
his army toward Murfreesboro, and the Regiment was ordered to
the front on December 26th.
178

At Nashville. 179

Immediately a spirit of "wanting to know" what they were to
do, whether the specific understanding given at enhstment was to
be observed and respected, manifested itself. The boys were
totally unaware of the military situation or of the purpose of the
rebel commander to make a stand at Stone River and fight. They
merely knew they had arrived at the place where they were to be
fully officered and assigned to special duty under the Command-
ing General. The regimental officers, knowing of the promises
made to the Regiment and knowing the discontent existing, did
nothing to reassure the men of the Regiment or calm its restive
spirits.

The organization of the Regiment had been ordered by General
Buell, not by General Rosecrans, and General Rosecrans was prob-
ably unaware of the special conditions under which the Regiment
had been enlisted. A portion of the men conceived they had been
deceived and misled by false assurances, and when the Regiment
was ordered forward the crisis came. Captain Palmer was not
there to say, "It's all right, boys; come on!" Had he been there
he would probably have expressed such a sentiment, and the boys
would have followed, but there was no one among the commis-
sioned officers to speak the right word at this critical hour. The
boys wanted the w'ord spoken. Most of them were eager for
battle. They were patriotic and wanted to distinguish themselves
and make a proud record for their Regiment — a Regiment of men,
as Governor Curtin said, "each of whom was fit to be an officer;"
and the Governor was not far wrong, in the opinion of not a few
military men who followed the course of the Regiment in its later
glorious career.

A division of sentiment arose when the order to march was
received. The order was discussed from tent to tent and Company
to Company, and the outcome was that when the forward move-
ment began a large part of the Regiment remained behind, waiting
for some assurance from someone that they were to be assigned
to specific duty, whatever that line of duty was. A day or two
later about one-half of the remainder, under the command of
Captain Atkinson, Assistant Adjutant General on stafif of Briga-
dier-General Smith, and Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, Tenth Illinois
Volunteers, marched forward. Meanwiiile all the officers, except
Lieut. Geo. S. Fobes. Quartermaster, and a detail to guard the

i8o History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

camp property, had gone forward, leaving the remainder of the
Regiment without officers — an unfortunate matter.

Had one or a few officers remained with the boys, had they told
them a battle was imminent, the result probably would have been
that every man of them would have seized his carbine and belt
and marched to the front. Two-thirds of the Regiment in two
detachments — the first, under the command of Majors Ward and
Rosengarten — did so; the second, under the command of Captain
Atkinson and Colonel Wood, as stated. The remaining one-third
being without officers, or a calm word of encouragement or assur-
ance, were provided with temporary quarters in a large building,
then known as the "smokehouse," where they were provided with
rations until the affairs of the Regiment could be straightened out.

The boys, for boys they were, were not yet soldiers. They had
been gathered from farms, countingrooms and colleges in July,
August and September, and after drilling at Carlisle and partici-
pating in the battle of Antietam were hurried to Louisville, where
they were mounted, and then took their long, weary ride through
Kentucky and Tennessee without their regimental commander.
Had the Regiment not been composed of looo men "fit to be
officers," possibly the spirit of "wanting to know" might not have
developed into a refusal of one-third to march until told a battle
was being fought and of the remaining third to not march at all.

It was an unfortunate incident, but it was not cowardice that
animated them. They were brave, and proved their bravery in
many an hour of peril. Alone and unsupported, the Fifteenth
Pennsylvania Cavalry during the remaining thirty months of en-
listment rode through Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia,
North Carolina and South Carolina, within the enemy's lines, most
of the time scouting and fighting and acting as the eyes and ears
of the Commanding General, who never in his long subsequent life
ceased to speak in the highest terms of eulogy of the valiant,
fighting Fifteenth.

After the battle of Stone River the two detachments, consti-
tuting about two-thirds of the Regiment, returned to the vicinity
of Nashville. In February, 1863, Colonel Palmer, released from
imprisonment, returned and took command, and removed the en-
tire Regiment to Camp Garesche, near Murfreesboro, where re-
organization followed, and when the Regiment was mounted and

At Nashville. - i8i

entered upon the career of activity and independent scouting in
which it earned a name and fame that made it known throughout
the Army of the Cumberland for bravery, fearlessness and for its
achievements along the front and flanks of the Army of the Cum-
berland.

A CLOSE CALL.

CORP. DARWIN E. PHELPS, COMPANY G, SPOKANE, WASH.

AFTER the battle of Stone River the Murfreesboro road be-
came SO cut up, from the heavy hauhng of army suppHes,
as to render it ahnost impassable in places. Something had
to be done to keep the line open.

I was relieved from acting as courier for General Mitchell, Post
headquarters, Nashville. Comrade N. G. Finney was with me,
and we were both ordered to report to Capt. Harry Bruner, Chief
Wagonmaster of the city. The Captain sent me down to the
wharf at night to look after the teamsters engaged in hauling
sanitary stores, they being in the habit of falling asleep and neg-
lecting their duty. After having been thlis employed for a few
nights I was sent out on the Murfreesboro road to take charge of
the repairs from Nashville to Lavergne. I had some thirty mule
teams and forty negroes. A detachment of the Eighty-fifth Illi-
nois Infantry was sent along to protect us, as it was death to any
Yankee soldier captured working negroes, especially on the public
roads. There was nothing more aggravating to a rebel than that
our repairs were made by taking the rails from the fences along
the route and laying them crosswise on the road ; this made the
bed good and solid. Where rails were scarce we cut down the
cedar trees and used them in the same way. This, with earth
shoveled over it, made a good road, although a little rough, hardly
suitable for fast trotting.

About this time Finney joined me, and I was glad to have hmi,
for at night it was quite lonely camping in the cedars by myself.
I camped near the darkies, as I wanted to be where I could keep
an eye on them, as they were liable to stampede at any time, so
terribly afraid were they of the rebels. Outside of that they
seemed perfectly happy and contented.

One night I was awakened by the strangest sound. After listen-
ing some time, I made out that the darkies were having some sort
182

A Close Call. 183

of a dance. From where I was it sounded not unlike the beating
of a pheasant, only much louder. I decided to go and see what
was up. I soon came to where they were congregated ; every
darkey was on hand. They had formed a large circle, with one of
their number in the center — a darkey who was supposed to repre-
sent a sheep. All the darkies composing the circle kept up a
constant thumping on the ground with the right foot, at the same
time patting the knee with the hands. This made the queer sound
I had heard. After this had been kept up for some time, a big
buck sang out, in a deep bass voice, "Along come de wolf." The
darkey inside the circle let a bellow out of him that sounded like
the bleating of an old sheep and darted around the circle, as though
frightened and trying to escape. Then there would be a rush, and
in the confusion yells and laughter followed. I couldn't tell or
see what became of the poor sheep, but after things got straight-
ened out again and they were all in their places, there was a new
sheep, and the fun would continue as before. After looking on
for a time I became tired and slipped off to my blanket at the foot
of a tree, and was soon fast asleep once more. I can't say how
long they kept it up, but they seemed to enjoy it immensely.

At the time I was sent out to fix the road the Captain loaned
me one of his favorite horses, a fine animal. I found one morning,
when I went to clean her, that she had a cut on her back right
under where the saddle pressed. I found, on further examination,
that a tack in the seat was what had done the mischief. I decided
to take her in at once before the wound became inflamed. I started
in that evening. The Captain received me kindly and gave me
another horse. He also furnished me with a lot of provisions and
two Irishmen, armed with guns, to help boss the work and watch
the darkies. He also sent a man with a light wagon to haul the
two men and the provisions, our camp being then about five miles
outside the pickets. It was a beautiful moonlight night. The
weather was perfect.

We got along without incident until within about one-half mile
of our destination, when one of the men, who had been walking
ahead a little distance, came back terribly excited. He had got
out of the wagon and was walking a short distance in front when,
happening to look down into the ravine, he saw a man dodging
from tree to tree. He called to me, "Look there ! look there !" I

184 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

could see the man plainly, as the moonlight made objects quite
distinct. I said, "Try him a shot." He fired, but the skulker got
behind a large tree. We paid no more attention to him and con-
'tinued on our way. I was satisfied that he was a bushwhacker.
Almost immediately after three shots were heard in the direction
of camp. The man who had charge of the wagon had become very
much frightened by this time, so much so as to be of little use to
us, and I concluded it was best to send him back with the team
and the provisions. After distributing them around we found we
could manage, so I told him he might go. He didn't wait for a
second bidding. We could hear the rattle of the wagon far in the
distance. One of the pickets who had been on post that night
said they could hear him coming long before he arrived, and
thought something serious had happened. They thought he was
the worse scared man they had seen for quite a while.

We were within about half a mile of camp ; the road led down
into a dark ravine, where the cedars grew thickly, and after hear-
ing the three shots I felt certain we would be attacked in the
hollow. The two Irishmen behaved like old soldiers. We started
ahead and were unmolested, arriving in camp in good time. I was
curious to know what caused the firing we had heard, and was told
that three mounted men had ridden up almost to the picket, posted
on the ridge back of the camp, and fired three shots into the house
occupied by the Colonel as his quarters. The picket snapped his
gun at one of them twice, but it failed to go ofif, much to his
chagrin. He said he couldn't possibly have missed, as they were
so close. He was satisfied, by the way they acted, that they heard
the snapping of his gun, and that was what caused them to leave
in such a hurry.

Comrade Pinney was anxious to join me, so I wrote a note to
the Captain, asking him if he would let Pinney come out. I was
much pleased the next day to see Pinney coming into camp,
mounted on a good horse. We were glad to meet once more and
it helped to pass the time.

About a week after this the following incident occurred : Not
far from where we were at work there stood a small cottage, set
back from the roadside, with a clump of cedars close up to the
rear. There were also a few trees standing around the front. We
never saw anyone around or about this house excepting one man,

A Close Call 185

who seemed to be the sole occupant. Pinney was always quick at
picking up acquaintances, and it was not long after his arrival
that he and the proprietor were on speaking terms, which finally
led to an invitation being extended to Pinney and myself to come
over the next day and have dinner. At the same time the gentle-
man said he would like to treat us nice while in his neighborhood,
and that he would have a couple of young lady friends on hand to
help make the time pass pleasantly. Pinney informed me of all
this, and, after thinking the matter over, we finally concluded to
go, although with many misgivings.

I couldn't quite see how that fellow could have much love for
us, engaged as we were every day tearing down his fences, con-
verting his splendid cedar rails into roadbed and cutting down
what little timber he had on his place, but we concluded to take the
chances. We took the precaution of fully arming ourselves before
going. We were not long getting to the residence of our friend,
after mounting our horses, as the distance from the camp was
short. We rode into the yard and tied our horses to one of the
trees, and then proceeded to the door and knocked. The man
appeared at once and invited us in.

My suspicions were aroused, the moment we entered the room,
at finding seated there what I took to be a rebel Captain. ,He had
a paper and pretended to be engaged in reading. He looked up
and nodded. He was dressed in a smart-fitting butternut-brown
suit, with pants inside his boots, and was rather goodlooking and
well built. I forgot to notice whether or not he wore spurs, but
he filled completely the bill for a regulation rebel officer. I felt
satisfied that we were in a bad box. Our host didn't offer to
introduce us, but led the way into the next room, where we
found a table capable of seating about fifteen. There were at least
that many plates on it. I was seated with my back to the door
by which we had entered, Pinney was placed at my right, near the
end of the table, while the man took his seat at the end. On a line
with us was a door opening onto a small porch that led, as I sup-
posed, to the kitchen and back part of the house. It was from this
direction that I expected the attack would be made.

A girl took her seat directly opposite me and commenced wait-
ing on us. She was black-eyed, cross-eyed and homely. She
seemed slightly nervous, while at the same time trying to appear

i86 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

calm. The man and the girl with Pinney and myself were all
that sat down at the table. As soon as we were seated the girl
commenced handing things to us. She seemed to want to keep us
as busy as possible, and no sooner had she served us with one thing
than she followed it quickly with another. All at once, Pinney,
who could see the road from where he sat, through a Small window,
exclaimed, "Oh, look at the big drove of cattle !" Our host had
his head down, seemingly very busy eating, but when Pinney spoke
he seemed startled, jumped right up, at the same time saying,
"A drove of cattle coming? excuse me, gentlemen, a moment,"
and started right out of the house over the little porch and in the
direction of the kitchen or the cedars which grew close up. Pinney
and I, seeing our chance, arose immediately, and leaving the
lovely lady alone at the table went through the room by which we
had entered. There was no rebel Captain there; he had vanished.
We mounted our horses and away for camp. As soon as we
reached there we called on the Colonel and told him of our adven-
ture. He was angry with us for not having let him know, "for,"
said he, "there isn't a particle of doubt that the rebels were there,
and I could easily have thrown a detachment around to the rear
and captured the whole gang. You have had a narrow escape,
young men ; a narrow escape."

If they had attacked us, as they certainly intended, we would
have given them as good a fight as possible. We had no intention
of allowing them to capture us alive. The coming of the cattle
undoubtedly saved us, as they always had a heavy guard with
them, and any disturbance at the house would have attracted at-
tention at once. Our being heavily armed was also a surprise
they were not looking for. I have no recollection of seeing our
friend or anyone else about the house after that. I think it had
been used by bushwhackers as a sort of rendezvous for watching
the road. It was but a short time afterward that we were recalled
to the Regiment, the Colonel having sent word for all of us to
rejoin him at Murfreesboro, where he had established a camp.

REORGANIZATION AND MIDDLE TENNESSEE
CAMPAIGN.

LIEUT.-COL. CHAS. M. BETTS, PHILADELPHIA.

COLONEL PALMER returned from captivity February
7, 1863, and at once commenced a reorganization of the
Regiment. On the 14th a portion of the command was sent
forward from Nashville to the new camp on Lebanon pike, near
Murfreesboro. It was named Camp Garesche. Instead of the
former organization of ten companies, twelve were now formed,
the members of the old companies being scattered throughout the
new organization. Those in Nashville were sent forward in
detachments of about seventy during March and assigned to
various companies.

March ist. — Colonel Palmer had the command drawn up in line
after tattoo, and announced the appointment of officers for the
various companies made by General Rosecrans, under authority of
Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania. These officers were mainly
from the old Troop (as we called it), and several of them had been
serving in the same capacity since our enlistment. Captain
Betts, Company F, was the senior Captain of those appointed from
the Regiment proper. On the 3d, Company organizations were
completed by the appointment of the non-commissioned officers,
and on the 7th Lieut.-Col. Chas. B. Lamborn, having been com-
missioned, reported for duty. On the nth of the month cavalry
equipments were issued and 194 good horses arrived from Nash-
ville for our use. Soon afterward mounted drill was taken up.
On the 13th the command was paid up to December 31, 1862. The
balance of March was taken up with drills (mounted and dis-
mounted).

All the available mounted force of the Regiment, about 300 in
number, left camp about noon on April 3d for a five days' scout
with Gen. John M. Palmer's division of infantry and artillery, in
the direction of Woodbury. We arrived at Ready ville at 4 p.m.,
and encamped there for the night.

187

i88 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

The next morning at sunrise we marched in rear of infantry and
artillery until Woodbury was reached, where our command was
put in advance. About four miles beyond the command encoun-
tered a body of some 300 rebel cavalry, driving them four miles,
when they made a stand, and a brisk skirmish was kept up for half
an hour. The enemy fell back, and we were not allowed to follow
them up, but remained in line as skirmishers until 4 p.m., when we
returned to Woodbury and bivouacked about a mile beyond the
town.

On the 5th we took up the line of march, at sunrise, toward Mc-
Minnville, on a byroad through the Short Mountains. The scenery
en route was grand. After a twelve-mile march we neared a small
town called Half Acre, where we captured an enrolling officer
and eight or ten rebel soldiers, besides twenty-six boxes of tobacco
and a number of horses. Stone River was followed to its source in
the mountains. We returned to Woodbury about dark and occu-
pied the same place as night previous.

April 6, 186^. — Colonel Palmer with Captain Lashell's bat-
talion went on a scout, and the balance of our command accom-
panied General Palmer with two infantry regiments to the moun-
tains—Companies E and F — under Captain Betts in advance. The
command rescued four conscripts who had been in concealment
for five months. About 8 p.m. we returned to our previous
bivouac. The following morning at 9 started for Bradyville,
marched six miles, when we came across some rebel pickets, charg-
ing them for two miles, capturing four. Then marched to the
mountains, on top of which was an extensive tract of table-land,
known as the "Barrens." At this place met a company of rebel
cavalry, and, after a chase of three miles on the full run, captured
eight. Returning, captured two more. We arrived at Bradyville
soon after, marching over roads almost impassable, by single file,
thence to Readyville, where we found our wagons, with blankets
and provisions. The next day returned to our camp at Mur-
freesboro, where we found that over 300 new horses had arrived
from Nashville. Private Woodwell, of Company F, was shot
through the leg by a bullet from Hunter's carbine, which was dis-
charged when the latter was thrown from his horse.

On Sunday afternoon, April loth, our command was reviewed
by Major-General Rosecrans, and everything passed off very

Reorganisation and Middle Tennessee Campaign. 189

creditably. The General remarked, "Boys, I have been waiting for
you for some time, and I see you are nearly ready for me." When
opposite Company F he remarked to Colonel Palmer, "Colonel,
these fellows don't appear to have much white in their eyes.'"
When passing in the rear of Company I he made the remark, "I
have heard that with a Pennsylvania-Dutchman it is first his horse
and then his wife; but I never believed it until now." On the
nth Private W. A. Heffley, of Company F, died of typhoid fever.
He was on the last scout, fell sick on the second day out, and was
buried on the 13th, at Union Cemetery, Murfreesboro, with mili-
tary honors. Private Saml. Gass, saddler, Company F, died on
the same date, and his remains were sent to his family, accom-
panied by Private A. L. Hawkins, of Company I. This is the same
soldier who, in the war with Spain in 1898, took the Regiment he
commanded, the Tenth Pennsylvania, to Manila, and participated
in many of the engagements there. When taken sick and ordered
heme he refused to go, and said, "He would go home with the
boys." He did go home with the boys, but they took him there
in his coffin.

On the 20th, with a brigade of infantry and section of artillery,
our command went on a scout toward Stone River, Jefferson, Las
Casas and Fall Creek. Considerable picket firing occurred on- the
night of the 226.. April 23d one battalion of our regiment scouted
in the direction of Milton, and in the afternoon reported to Gen-
eral Granger, who had command of a force which left Murfrees-
boro the day previous with rations for General Reynolds' com-
mand. We met them the following day, near Liberty, on their
return from a scout to McMinnville, where they had captured 200
rebels, among them Maj. Richard McCann. They had also de-
stroyed two factories, train of cars, depot and bridges.

Colonel Palmer with the other two battalions scouted to Cains-
ville and Statesville on the 24th, capturing some prisoners, and
was joined by the other battalion on the 25th, on the way back to
Murfreesboro. The following day we marched to Milton, Cains-
ville. Beard's Mill, and bivouacked at Stone River, returning to
our camp on the 27th.

The command was busily engaged in drilling, target practice,
etc., when not on other duty. There was much dissatisfaction
among the line officers, mainly owing to their not having received

190

History of the Fifteenth Peiuisyliaiiia Caz'alry.

their commissions from Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, and it
culminated in the most of those appointed from the old Troop re-
signing in a body. They were relieved from their commands on
the 7th of Alay, by order of the Commanding General. Other
officers were appointed to fill the vacancies, ranking as follows —
as confirmed by orders issued June 22, 1863 :

Captains.

Lieutenants.

I.

Chas. M. Betts.

I.

Geo. S. Fobes, 0. M.

2.

Washington Airey.

2.

Chas. S. Hinchman, Com'y

3-

Adam Kramer.

3-

Comly J. Mather.

4-

Wm. W. Dewitt.

4-

Wm. F. Colton, Adjutant.

5-

Wm. P. Rockhill, Jr.

5-

Annesley N. Morton.

6.

Henry McAllister, Jr.

6.

Harvey S. Lingle.

/•

William Thompson.

/•

James H. Lloyd.

8.

Abram B. Garner.

8.

Charles F. Blight.

9-

Edward Sellers.

9-

Harry K. W^eand.

0.

Geo. S. Clark.

10.

Charles H. Kirk.

I.

William Wagner.

II.

George W. Hildebrand.

12.

Stuart Logan.

13-

Frank E. Remont.

14.

William M. Field.

15-

Anthonv Tavlor.

On the 2ist of May the Regiment was ordered out on a scout,
making a circuit of some twelve miles in front of the outer lines
of our army, returning the same evening ; and the next day all
extra clothing was packed in boxes for storage at Nashville until
the return of cold weather.

The command moved to a new camping ground on the 26th.
called Camp Pennsylvania, on the Salem pike, one and a half
miles south of Murfreesboro, where new shelter tents were re-
ceived.

Orders were received on the evening of June 3d to prepare three
days' rations and be ready to move at a moment's notice. Heavy
cannonading was heard toward Shelbyville at intervals the next
day. The day following the Regiment made a reconnoissance,
about five miles to the left of Salem, without meeting the enemy.

On June 7th the officers were mustered into the service, after
taking the oath of allegiance, and the following day Companies

Reorganisation and Middle Tennessee Campaign. 191

E and F established a courier line between Murfreesboro and
Readville, Company F being relieved the next day by Company D.

Orders were received from department headquarters on the
13th for an escort to a flag of truce under Colonel McKibbin, and
Captain Betts' battalion, of four companies, was detailed for this
duty. On arrival at our army's outer picket they were halted, and
Captain Betts and Lieutenant Kirk, with twenty men, escorted
Colonel McKibbin with the flag of truce to the enemy's vedette,
two miles beyond, and were allowed to continue one mile farther,
where they awaited the arrival of the Confederate detail sent to
meet them. This detail consisted of Colonel Webb, Major Dye,
Lieutenant Street and two other Lieutenants, with escort, all from
the Fifty-first Alabama. The object of this meeting was to deliver
the personal eft'ects of Colonel Williams (Confederate), who had
been captured inside our lines, tried and shot as a spy at Franklin
two days before. After two hours' pleasant chat with "our
friends, the enemy," the command returned to camp.

On the afternoon of the 14th we received hurried orders, and
in fifteen minutes the Regiment was in the saddle. After ten miles'
march toward Nashville, scouted all night through the woods to
the left, by lanes and bypaths, looking for a party of seventy
guerrillas reported to be in the vicinity, without success, and re-
turned to camp about 5 o'clock next morning.

A forward movement of the army was commenced early on the
morning of June 24th. General McCook's corps, on the right,
took the Shelbyville pike ; General Thomas' corps, in the center,
the Manchester pike, and the left, under General Crittenden,
moved via Bradyville. Companies B, H and K were detailed at
department headquarters as escort to General Rosecrans, com-
manding, and the remainder of the Regiment was employed for
courier duty between the wings of the army, reporting the general
topography of the country in advance of the army. This required
untiring energy and constant activity both night and day. Com-
panies E and L, under Captain Airey, while carrying dispatches
to General Mitchell, at Rover, encountered a large force of the
enemy, and by a vigorous charge drove in their pickets, killing
two and capturing several, and got safely away — delivering the
dispatches to General Mitchell at Versailles. They had only one
man wounded in the fisfht.

192 History of the Fifteenth Peniisylzaiiia Cavalry.

As an evidence of the activity displayed on this campaign of
six days from Murfreesboro to Tullahoma, the writer finds by his
diary that he rode thirty-six miles on the 25th, twenty-eight on the
26th, thirty on the 27th, eighteen on the 29th — an average of
twenty-eight miles daily, which probably represents the distances
covered by most of the command during the same time.

Heavy skirmishing by the army with artillery occurred at Beech
Grove, and Manchester was occupied on the 28th by our forces.
Early on the following morning, at 1.30, orders were received
from the department headquarters for, a reconnoissance on the
enemy's left, and Companies D, E, F, G, H and L, under Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Lamborn, with one of Rosecrans' staff officers moved
forward. After marching eight miles the advance guard, con-
sisting of Adjutant Col ton and five men from Company F, struck
the enemy's cavalry picket, and according to instructions imme-
diately charged, driving them back on their reserve picket
of about fifty mounted men, who were drawn up in line on
a slight elevation on the bank of a small stream. Company F,
being in the advance, rushed forward with a yell on the reserves,
who fired a scattered volley and fled.

Seven prisoners were overtaken and captured by our advance
before striking their reserve. The case was kept up to within
two miles of Tullahoma by Company F. The commanding officer,
being mounted on a gray Kentucky bred, after discharging his
two pistols without eft'ect at the fleeing column gave rein to his
horse, and when a few were overtaken with an empty pistol he
compelled their surrender and turned them over as prisoners to the
first of his men who came up. Twice this was done, the distance
being greater each time between the pursuer and pursued. On the
third heat, after riding on a run for about a mile on a level, wooded
road without fences, he noticed a disposition on the part of the
rebels to slacken their pace and feel for their guns. Looking
back he was surprised to find none of his men in sight. His horse,
entering into the spirit of the chase, was only halted by running
him into a bank on the roadside. The first man to come up was Pri-
vate Thos. B. Tucker, with pistol in hand, fully cocked, and while
drawing in his reins Tucker involuntarily discharged his piece,
the bullet whizzing in very close proximity to the officer's head.

When Companies E and G came up, a line was formed, on the

Rcoi'gaiti^:atloit and Middle Tcinicsscc Caiiipaii^ii. 193

edge of a clearing, which extended over to the earthworks of the
enemy at Tullahoma, and we waited for the attack we knew would
come. The "long roll" sounded in the enemy's camps, and soon
after a long line of rebel infantry, with one or two guns, came
over the breastworks and advanced toward us. On the flanks of
this force came a small force of cavalry. A few shots only had
been fired, when positive orders were received to fall back and
join the balance of the command, which was done, and the whole
force returned to Manchester, in a great downpour of rain.

[Several years ago, at a meeting of the Pennsylvania Com-
mandery M. O. L. L. at the Union League, Philadelphia, Lieuten-
ant Conaway and the writer met Col. A. C. Ducat, of Chicago,
who was on the staff of General Rosecrans during this campaign.
Lie told us he had been awakened about i o'clock in the night by
the General, who said he was anxious to get information of the
enemy's position at Tullahoma. The General ordered him to send
the Anderson Cavalry, saying, "That is as many men as I can
afford to lose;" so it is possible the command performed a work
which was considered more hazardous than any of the officers or
men knew of at the time.]

On June 30th Lieutenant Mather, Company F, with twenty
men was detailed as guard to a wagon train to Murfrcesboro, re-
t Liming July 7th.

Tullahoma was occupied by our forces about 4 i-.m., July ist,
it having been evacuated by the enemy early on the morning of
that day. Three large siege guns had been abandoned, two being
in the fortifications. There were also tents pitched that were
sufficient to accommodate 3000 men. Captain Clark with his
comJDany (E) went to Shelby ville that day with dis])atches to
General Baird, and Company F had established a courier line
from General McCook to headquarters of General Rosecrans at
Tullahoma. On the 2d, a quantity of rebel shells caught fire and
exploded, killing two men and wounding two. Private Biggert,
Company D, of our Regiment, was badly wounded in the leg.
On the 4th a national salute was fired by two battalions in
honor of the day and for the victory at Gettysburg, Pa. Our
command was on half rations from July 5th until the 8th, when
trains arrived with supplies. On the 14th Company F was de-
tailed at General Johnston's headquarters, and posted vedettes on

13

i(;4 History of the Fiftccntli Pennsylvania Cavalry.

all the roads leading out of Tullahoma, and on the i6th Companies
I and M arrived in camp from courier duty between' Manchester
and Murfreesboro.

Company C rejoined the command the following day, and on
the 20th Colonel Palmer with Companies C and L, with wagons,
moved on to Winchester with department headquarters, being
followed the same day by Companies E, I and M, who had re-
turned from Wartrace. About 8 p.m., private Isaac C. Davis,
Company F, while a vedette, was shot by bushwhackers, neces-
sitating the amputation of two fingers of his left hand. The com-
mand was paid off early in August, and the Company left at Tulla-
homa rejoined the Regiment on the 9th at Winchester. Several
scouts had been made by that portion of the command, on one of
which Private Requa, Company L, was killed by guerrillas, August
3d; and a few days after, in an attempt to capture the assassin,
we captured a Captain Bean and six others.

August loth Lieutenant-Colonel Lamborn, Captain Airey and
Lieutenant Remont with several men started for Philadelphia for
drafted men, to fill up the ranks of the Regiment, and on the 15th
Captain Kramer and a detail arrived from Nashville with loohorses
for us. Two days later Colonel Palmer with Companies C, D, E
and F, and wagons containing company and regimental property,
started for Stevenson, Ala., arriving there on the 19th. The roads
on both sides of the Cumberland Mountains were extremely steep
and rocky, and it took us one and a half hours to lead our horses
from the base to the top. We bivouacked on top of the mountains
on the 17th, but the wagons did not reach us until the morning of
the 1 8th, and on the same day we made the descent, over a very
steep and rocky road. Company F was detailed to "hold back" each
wagon as it passed down the worst places, as it was found that
the wagon brakes, locked wheels and the two mules at the tongue,
all combined, were not sufficient to prevent it from rushing down
on the six mules which made up its team. Our train got down
safely, and arrived at Stevenson, Ala., and encamped two miles
from town, where in a few days the command was reunited.

A short rest was made at this place, while preparations were
n-,ade to cross the Tennessee River, in our front, and to oust the
enemy from Chattanooga, which was the objective point of our
campaign.

THE CHRISTIAN SPIRIT OF THE REGIMENT.

REV. DAVID CLARK, COMPANY B, MARTINSBURG, IOWA.

IT would be difficult to get together as many people as be-
longed to the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, gathered from
various places throughout the State, vv^ithout having a good
many Christians among them. The Regiment always made the
boast of being a "select" company, and it is true that certain
qualifications were required of all those whose names were placed
upon the roll, but piety was not a condition of membership.

At the time the Regiment was recruited the Government was
seeking soldiers, not Christians ; yet if a man, in addition to his
soldierly qualifications, happened to give evidence of piety, he was
not thereby debarred from enrollment. It is not strange, there-
fore, that a number of Christians should have slipped in unawares
— perhaps not enough to leaven the whole lump, but yet a re-
spectable minority, whose influence was not wholly neutralized
by the absence of great numbers. Those who delighted in the
company of Christians had no occasion to live in solitude ; while,
on the other hand, men who "cared for none of these things"
may have gone through their three years without having con-
sciously met with a single one, for they were not out on dress
parade.

Henry Ward Beecher, when speaking of Colonel Ingersoll,
once was reported as saying: "When a raven starts out on a
foraging expedition he looks for carrion, and carrion only. He
passes by everything else and goes on and on till his keen eye
and keener scent have guided him to the object of his search.
So," said he, "when Ingersoll goes to the Bible, he looks for
carrion ; he has no taste for anything else, and he soon finds, or
thinks he finds, that for which he is looking." So is it with every-
body. So was it with the boys of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania
Cavalry. Each could find what he looked for. True, he might

195

196 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

occasionally stumble across a professing Christian, who didn't
have the proper "earmarks," for they could be found in the army
as well as at home.

While a part of the Regiment was at Chattanooga, on escort
duty, one of the boys became very much interested in the sub-
ject of religion, during a protracted meeting conducted by the
Chaplain of the post. This man, to use his own language, had
become a Christian several times at home, but it "wouldn't
stick." He now thought he had discovered the reason. He had
never been properly baptized. Rejoicing in the conviction that he
had at last found the truth, he went down to the river, in company
with many others, and received baptism by immersion. Now in
army parlance, this Comrade was an "M.D." — mule driver.
After the immersion everything went well as long as the mules
did, and the comrade seemed in the enjoyment of unalloyed
happiness. But one day, in an unguarded moment, when the
mules became obstreperous, he lost control of his temper, the
old habit of profanity got the upper hand, and his piety took a
greater retrograde movement than did the sun's shadow on the
dial of Ahaz. After this slip, knowing that he had publicly dis-
graced, his profession, he was heard to say that "a man couldn't
be a Christian and drive mules, too, and he wouldn't try it any
longer;" and then, as if all the pent-up oaths of the past few
weeks were clamoring for an opportunity to give emphasis to
the sentiment, he broke forth into such unrestrained profanity
as is seldom heard in this wicked world. The general impression
among his acquaintances was that it required a greater power
than the waters of the Tennessee River to make his religion
"stick." His case was an exception, and while a few others might
have been found, their number was much less than that of those
who became Christians while in the service.

From the time the boys rendezvoused at Carlisle Barracks till
the day they were mustered out of the service there were not
wanting instances to show that there were praying men in every
company. Perhaps there was seldom a week, under ordinary
circumstances, when we were in camp, that there was not a quiet
little prayer meeting held.

When Major Ward fell mortally wounded at the battle of
Stone River, and was carried back some distance to where the

The Christian Spirit of the Regiment. 197

Surgeon could examine him, he inquired after the nature of the
wound, and on being told that it was mortal, he called for some-
one to pray for him. Now we had no Chaplain, but there were
several private soldiers standing nearby, one of whom imme-
diately knelt by the side of the wounded Major, there in the
woods and within range of the enemy's guns, and prayed most
fervently in his behalf — prayed not as if in his mind prayer was
just for cases of emergency, but as if he were in daily com-
munion with the Lord and needed no introduction.

Few formal religious services were held, not because they
were not needed, nor because of any apprehension that the boys
might not know how to deport themselves at such times ; but
whatever may have been the reason, both State and military
authorities had neglected to make any provision for such serv-
ices. When the Regiment was in camp at Murfreesboro, Tenn.,
some of the boys who were interested in the subject, feeling the
need of public worship, invited a young comrade who, previous
to his enlistment, had been engaged in evangelistic work, to
preach for us on the following Sunday. But a strange coincidence
occurred. While we were arranging to provide for ourselves,
the Colonel, becoming solicitous for our spiritual interests, bor-
rowed a Chaplain from a neighboring infantry regiment, and
had announcement made that said Chaplain would preach for us
the very day and hour we had arranged for our comrade.

Now, whatever else we may have been, we were not dis-
courteous, at least not intentionally ; so we all fell in line at the call
of the bugle and were marched to the Colonel's tent, in front of
which was the borrowed Chaplain. It could hardly have been
expected that he would prepare a brand-new discourse just for
us, but we did think that from his large "stock in trade," he
would give us something to think about, and he did. The good
brother had evidently picked up the wrong manuscript, and while
he gave us what was doubtless a good sermon for his home
congregation — and was probably so marked on the margin — it
lacked in appropriateness for us, as he discoursed learnedly
though incidentally on the subject of infant baptism, and closed
with an earnest exhortation to mothers to be faithful to their
vows in regard to the little ones. We assumed no responsibility
in the matter, but have been unable to forget the incident. Other

198 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

public provision may have been afterward made for the spiritual
good of the Regiment, but they are not recalled.

Incidents do not come to the front in chronological order, but
still they come, and vi^hile some of them may not be just to the
point, they nevertheless tend to emphasize the lack that w^as felt
in not having a Chaplain of our ovi^n. On one occasion our
Regiment w^ent from Chattanooga up to Knoxville, by rail, and,
shortly after our arrival, took a little scout into the country. The
first night our camp was about seven miles northeast of Knox-
ville, in the neighborhood of an old log church, where a pro-
tracted meeting was in progress. As the church was inside our
picket line, many of the boys concluded to avail themselves of the
opportunity of attending divine worship, and accordingly, at
'•'early candlelight" they sallied forth in a body to the service,
where a small congregation was assembled. Our numbers com-
pletely filled and even crowded the house. An old man was in
the pulpit. The services were similar to those ordinarily held on
such occasions. After the conclusion of the sermon, concerning
which nothing is recalled, all interested were invited forward to
the "mourners' bench." About a dozen promptly responded, and
knelt with their backs to the audience. A hymn was announced,
and the request made that someone would "pitch the tune."
After considerable pause, an old lady who seemed to feel that
the musical responsibility of the meeting devolved upon her
made an attempt to comply with the request. She didn't have
much of a tune to "pitch," but did the best she could and did it
willingly. The tune, however, was exhausted before she reached
the end of the second line of the first verse, and she completely
subsided. Another tried it with a similar result.

In our Company was a quartet who sang a great deal in camp,
and who on this occasion were seated together in about the mid-
dle of the church. When it became evident that something ought
to be done to relieve the embarrassment, they started in with
appropriate words, to the tune of "John Brown's Body, etc."
The moment they began to sing the "mourners" raised their
heads and looked back over their shoulders in apparent astonish-
ment. When the chorus was reached the whole Regiment joined
in, singing with great fervency, and then the "mourners" rose
and sat facing the audience with mouth and eyes wide open.

The Christian Spirit of the Regiment. 199

When the time came for another hymn the preacher timidly rose,
and leaning over the pulpit, inquired in a pleading voice if our
"foreign brethren would please sing agin," and the "foreign
brethren" did sing till the close of a service which continued till
long after the sounding of "taps" in camp.

It has already been said, but it will bear repeating, that the
man who wanted to find a prayer meeting could easily have been
accommodated most any time during our three years of service.
But such a thing as denominationalism had no place among us.
Members of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry were not known
by denominational names. They had such names at home, and
doubtless resumed them after their return, but while in the serv-
ice the only question was : "Is he a Christian ?" Even if a man
were devoid of the grace of charity for others and disposed to
indulge himself in what he was pleased to call honest candor,
there was always danger of getting one's self into an embarrass-
ing position, if he allowed denominational pride to usurp the
place of discretion.

While in the vicinity of Chattanooga, Comrade Foster invited
Comrade Vance and the writer to go with him, a few miles into
the country, to attend a neighborhood prayer meeting, to be
held in a Methodist Church. We went, and after service were
invited to take dinner with a family with whom Comrade Foster
was acquainted. During the two or three hours that we were
there our host regaled us with his views of the Baptists and Pres-
byterians. He gave it to them "hip and thigh." With a sharp
two-edged sword he slashed right and left. Their creeds were
ripped open from surface to center. Church polity was sliced
up beyond recognition, and as for their precepts and practices,
they were thought too abominable to receive the slightest con-
sideration. The guests rather enjoyed the conversation, and only
encouraged the old man by helping him occasionally to the pro-
nunciation of some hard word over which he was stumbling.
When we were taking our leave our host ventured the remark :
"I didn't ax you, but I suppose, of course, you are all Metho-
dist?" The writer, to whom a large share of the critic's conver-
sation had been addressed, hastily replied: "That is just about
the size of it — Brother Foster there is a Methodist, Vance is a
Baptist and I am a Presbyterian." The old man. as Samantha

200 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Allen would say, "sithed a tremendous sigh," and began to
clear his throat in preparation, probably, for an inglorious re-
treat, but we, not wishing to witness his further embarrassment,
gave spurs to our horses and were out of sight and hearing in a
jifi-y.

If a man has denominational pride, in the army or out of it, it
is wiser and more discreet to attempt to build up the object of
his affections on its own merits than on the demerits of others,
however palpable the latter may be.

A spirit of reverence for sacred things was quite common in
the Regiment, even on the part of those who laid no claim to
piety themselves. A man was generally taken at his own valua-
tion. If he claimed to be a Christian he was so regarded till, by
his conduct, he had forfeited that claim.

It is not known how many of our Orderly Sergeants were
Christians, but some of them were, and, like ordinary people,
frequently met with obstacles and hindrances of various kinds
in their Christian life. One of them, in speaking one day of the
want of favorable opportunity for private devotions, said that he
had fallen into the lazy habit of attending to that duty when he
lay down on his couch at night. "But," said he, "that does not
suit me; it is not sufficiently definite. I always know when I
begin to pray, but never when I stop. Being in an unconscious
condition, I can't tell next morning what I may have asked the
Lord to do for me, and so shall never know whether the prayer
was answered or not." It may have been because of this item
in army life that many of the boys formed themselves into little
squads and retired for devotional purposes daily, at some given
hour, to the woods, where they could have perfect freedom and
congenial company.

While ordinarily nothing ever marred the sacredness of these
occasions, circumstances over which the parties had no control
would occasionally intervene to render ludicrous what otherwise
would have been sacred. In illustration let me recount one little
incident of which public mention has before been made. On a
certain occasion, in conformity with an established custom, a
small party of us retired one hot evening to a little nook in the
woods, clad as lightly "as the law would allow." In the midst of
our devotions there were indications that a storm was rapidly

The Christian Spirit of the Regiment. 201

approaching, and that the services should be cut short, and most
of them had given heed to the admonition. But it so happened
that just as one long-winded brother had said "Let us pray,"
and all had knelt down by the side of an old rotten log which had
formed our seat, the storm burst upon us in all its fury. Now,
if there was one thing, in addition to the "Apostles' Creed," which
that devout comrade held firmly to it was the doctrine of the
"perseverance of the saints," rain or shine, and he proceeded
forthwith to give us a fine illustration of the firm grip that doc-
trine had on him. As time advanced the rain came thicker and
faster, and the claps of thunder were more terrific, but none of
these things moved the good comrade to say "amen." Never was
a man known to give such literal interpretation to the commands
to "pray for all men" and "pray without ceasing" as was then
and there given. It is, however, due all concerned to say that
both prayer and storm were concluded that same evening, and
that whatever may have been the opinion of the Regiment then
or now of such a service, it could not justly be claimed of this
particular one that it was not unnecessarily dry.

All things considered, in the absence of a Chaplain or any re-
ligious organization by which attention could be directed to the
subject, the Christian sentiment of the boys was quite prevalent
and found expression on all suitable occasions.

•L"' AND "E" CARRYING A DISPATCH TO GENERAL
MITCHELL, AT ROVER.

SERG. ADAM T. DRINKHOUSE, COMPANY L, FREDERICK^ MD.

ON the morning of June 24, 1863, these two Companies were
aroused before daylight, at our camp at Murfreesboro,
Tenn., to fall in for duty. The force numbered eighty
men, under command of Capt. Washington Airey, of Company
L; Company E was commanded by Capt. George S. Clark and
First Lieut. Charles H. Kirk.

It turned out that we were to carry a dispatch to General
Mitchell, in command of a division of cavalry moving on the left
of the army. General Mitchell had been at Rover and was sup-
posed to be still there, but it turned out that Rover was occupied
that day by the Sixth Georgia regiment of cavalry. The dis-
tance from our camp to Rover was about twenty miles.

Soon after the command started it commenced to rain and con-
tinued to rain nearly all day.

As we approached Rover our advance guard was fired upon by
some pickets in the road. Thinking that a mistake had been made
by our friends, Captain Airey ordered forward the guidon bearer
of Company L. He was saluted by more shots. We knew then
that the enemy were in our front. Captain Airey supposed that
we had run into a band of guerrillas who had got in between us
and Rover. Swinging his saber over his head, he shouted:
"Boys, we must go into Rover ! Forward, trot, charge !" and away
we went for the enemy. We drove the pickets into their reserve,
which, I believe, was about equal to our force. We halted within
about 300 yards of this reserve, formed a line across the road and
in a grove to the right of the road, and opened a carbine fire upon
the enemy.

In a few minutes Captain Airey ordered another charge with
the pistol, instructing Captain Clark to follow Company L at a
short interval.
202

"L" and "E" Carrying a Dispatch to General Mitchell. 203

The enemy did not wait for us but turned and flew toward
Rover at their best speed. The road was strewn with their blank-
ets, hats and other paraphernaUa.

I had singled out a burly Georgian and kept straight for him.
The rebel paid no heed to loud shouts to surrender. During the
chase I fired two revolver shots at him, but, although within ten
feet, I am glad to say I did not hit him. The second shot may
have come very close to his ear, for he suddenly pulled off the
road into the woods, his horse whirling around in a circle. Re-
sponding to an instant demand to surrender, he dropped his rifle.
We pursued the enemy within the sound of the bugles of their
regiment.

Our little force leisurely took the return march in search of
General Mitchell. The enemy did not pursue us.

We marched back some miles, when Captain Airey was told
by a negro that our cavalry was moving on the right. A cross-
road was at hand, and we soon found General Mitchell sweeping
along on a road at right angles to the crossroad. Captain Airey
delivered the important dispatch.

We got back to Murfreesboro at 5 p.m., delivering our prison-
ers to the Provost.

MacDonald, who had been wounded in the hip, was sent to the
hospital. This was our only casualty.

We found our camp of the morning deserted, the Regiment
having moved to the front. After resting and eating our suppers
we marched ten miles to join the Regiment. In all we had
marched during the day at least fiftv-five miles.

COURIER DUTY.

CORP. JAMES W. OVER, COMPANY G, PITTSBURG^ PA.

DURING the Tullahoma and Chickamauga campaigns our
Regiment, with the exception of three companies at-
tached to the department headquarters, was used for
special scouting and courier duty. In the?e campaigns the wings
of the army were frequently so far separated that the courier line
was forty or fifty miles in length. Five or six men would be sta-
tioned at posts at intervals of six or eight miles, one always
being ready, night and day, to mount and receive the dispatch
from the approaching courier and carry it at a gallop or trot, as
might be indicated on the envelope, to the next post. Most of
the dispatches were sent from the different headquarters in the
evening, and the couriers had many exciting and dangerous rides
across mountains, through forests and country infested with
rebel guerrillas, when the nights were so dark they could not see
the road and had to depend upon their horses to follow it.

A courier's imagination was apt to be very vivid when he was
riding by himself on a dark night, with revolver drawn, and ex-
pecting every minute that the enemy would pounce upon him. It
is not surprising that we sometimes imagined stumps or fallen
timber to be Confederate cavalry, and put spurs to our horses to
escape the imaginary foe.

I recollect one very dark night, when carrying a dispatch at a
fast trot on a lonely, rough mountain road through the forest on
the top of Lookout Mountain, that I saw what I supposed was
a body of cavalry on the road in front of me. I halted as soon
as possible, ready for flight, but seeing no indication of an ad-
vance I hailed with all the assurance I could command : "Halt !
Who comes there?" There being no reply, I approached cau-
tiously and discovered some horses, which had strayed from a
farm, occupying the road. While the shock to my nerves was in
204

Courier Duty. 205

the first instance very great, it was excelled by my relief in dis-
covering there was no danger.

Smah detachments of rebel cavalry would occasionally give
the courier an exciting chase, and bushwhackers from some con-
venient hiding places sent their compliments in way of a leaden
messenger. We never knew when this might occur, and con-
sequently were always on the alert. Our duties as couriers were
especially arduous and important during the week preceding the
battle of Chickamauga.

The line extended from Crittenden's headquarters on the left.
in the Chickamauga Valley, to Thomas' in the center; across
Lookout Mountain, up Lookout Valley, and across the moun-
tains again to McCook's headquarters on the right, in Mc-
Lemore's Cove, a distance of about fifty miles. The army was
in a precarious situa'tion. General Rosecrans and his subor-
dinates depending almost entirely on our courier line to keep in
communication with each other. Dispatches came thick and fast,
nearly all marked "gallop," and the couriers and their poor
horses had but little rest. We have the satisfaction of knowing
that the faithful and intelligent manner in which our couriers per-
formed their arduous duties contributed much to the successful
concentration of our army prior to the battle.

MEMORIES MUSICAL OF CAMP FIRES.

WM. L. BRATTON, COMPANY A, NEW YORK.

WHEN our Regiment was first assembled at Carlisle, Pa.,
to be put under drill by the regulars, the men, from
different parts of the State, strangers to one another,
soon became acquainted, and the incidents of camp life were
the source of many a lasting intimacy. Between retreat and taps
the boys would gather in different groups and around camp fires.
At that time the cook's fire was the general rendezvous of those
who were inclined to be merry, and in a short time those who had
what is generally called singing voices made it a point to meet
v/henever opportunity afforded and practice many different songs.
There was considerable talent among the boys in that direction.
They gave two very successful concerts in the Carlisle Theater,
and a still more successful one in Louisville, Ky., proved that they
were capable and appreciated. They gave amusement to many, and
helped to while away the many hours of camp life which otherwise
would have become very monotonous. Our Regiment was not
composed of card-playing, gambling men, and very little drinking
was indulged in. In fact, those who did drink moderately were
made conspicuous by the fact that the great majority did not
indulge at all. Our singers were of different types — sentimental,
patriotic and comic. Most prominent in the sentimental line was
our blonde, curly-haired, good-natured Comrade, Al. Price, who,
by his rendering of "Backward, Turn Backward, Oh, Time, in
Your FHght [""Kathleen Mavourneen,""Juanita" and other songs,
was generally regarded as the leader of the singers and most
pleasing of voice.

The next in prominence and fine voice was the tenor, "Kent"
Pierce, whose selection of songs belonged to that line of melody
which tenors in those days affected. His "Larboard Watch,
Ahoy!" with McGinley, whose baritone bass was often heard in
their good selections, was very favorably regarded. Al. Rihl was
206

Memories Musical of Camp Fires. 207

the deep bass of the Regiment. These four would join in singing-
such songs as "Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming" and the
choruses of "Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party," "Nellie Was a Lady,"
"The Poor Old Slave," or they would make the welkin ring with
the "Star Spangled Banner," "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean"
and "Rally Round The Flag." It would not only be most im-
pressive, but its skillful performance would be recognized fre-
quently by hand-clapping and cheers by the boys, who appreciated
the melody and the sentiment. Some of them would sing with
banjo and guitar accompaniments.

There v;ere others in the Regiment who could sing besides the
four mentioned above. One little mess in old Company H, com-
posed of "Billy" Moore, "Billy" Brown, Dan Henderson and Sam
Chadwick, were gifted with fairly good voices, and amused their
company comrades in no small measure. Captain Lloyd and his
First Sergeant, afterward Lieut. Geo. M. Petty, had several spe-
cialties which they sang as duets, quite effectively. Our Scotch
comrade, Alex. Milne, often gave his rendition of "Annie Laurie,"
as only a Scotchman can sing it. "Jim" Conaway also had a good
voice, and helped to swell the volume of sound in most of the
choruses sung around the camp fire. There were several comic
singers in the Regiment. The most prominent was "Bog Hole
Smith." He had several selections, the best of which were "The
Goose Hangs High" and the "Old Bog Hole." "Charley" Jenkins
was another comic singer, as well as an actor, and he often amused
the boys with "Teddy O'Ran" and "Shamus O'Brien." He also
had one or two specialties which he would sing, and in some parts
of the song he would interpolate recitations, which were very
good.

Some of our boys were quite good instrumental musicians.
Ned. Spang, with his violin, was most excellent. Sergeant
Lingle, with his cornet, could do fine work. John Gulden, with
his banjo and negro songs, was always well received. Scho-
macker, although at that time not knowing a note of music, could
perform wonderfully well on the piano. His performance of the
"Maiden's Prayer," which was very popular at that time, was con-
sidered a beautiful rendition. The comrade who composed "We're
All Bound for New York," adding to it several parts of different
choruses, undoubtedly created the most popular song generally

2o8 History of the Fifteenth PeiiiisyhL'ania Cavalry.

sung in the Regiment. It was the tuneful rh3-thm, more than the
merit of the words, that caused the song to be so popular with
the boys of the Regiment, and to this day it is frequently asked
for at our reunions.

Among the special songs that attracted attention was "Eighty
Years Ago," when sung, as it usually was, by Howard Buzby.
He had a peculiarly penetrating voice, with a little of the Yankee
nasal twang, which gave it far-reaching range, and when he
enunciated its patriotic sentiments every guard around the camp
could locate "Buz." He held the record as the long-distance
singer.

Buzby had for a messmate Samuel Lewis, who was a quiet,
educated man, a good soldier and in every sense of the word a
gentleman. The two had a mutual liking for each other, but
Lewis had not spoken one word in appreciation of the other's
singing, and Buzby rather hungered for it. One day, when alone
together, Howard determined to make the other speak. He sang
with all the vigor that a good voice could give, but Lewis was not
moved. Buzby tried the sentimental ones and added all the fervor
and passion he was capable of, but still Lewis did not speak. Then
he tried the operatic, and to the tune added his stock of histrionic
talent to make it effective, and then, not receiving the applause he
craved, said: "Sam, you don't like singing, do you?" "Yes,"
Lewis replied ; "I am passionately fond of it, but I don't like
this d d hollering."

Among the natural musical talent of the regiment the colored
element must not be ignored. Nearly every negro servant was a
slave at one time, and some of their melodies, rendered in the
plantation style, frequently accom.panied by certain shuffling and
movement of feet, was very tuneful. Perhaps the most prominent
of the negro boys was one called "Sandy," of Company A. This
little darkey had one of the most unique negro faces, which, with
his large eyes and big mouth ornamented with an unusually
fine set of teeth, presented a correct picture of a negro boy, such
as is often delineated at minstrel shows. His thick lips being
very red, the width of his mouth was much magnified, and its
size would have struck terror to a "Delmonico" caterer. With a
clapping of his hands on his knees and a movement of foot work
this "Sandy" would accompany himself to a song called "Get

Memories Mitsieal of Camp Fires. 209

Along, Lida Jane!"' The words, to the best of my recollection,
were as follows :

I went down to the mountain

To gib my horn a blow ;
Thought I heard Miss Lida
Say, yonder comes my beau !

Chorus.
Get along, Lida, Lida !

Get along, Lida Jane !
Get along, Lida, my own true luv,

Till I come back again !

The war inspired many beautifully worded ballads, which were
sung by different members of our singing band, the most promi-
nent of which were: "Noble Republic," "The Vacant Chair,'
■'When This Cruel War is Over," "Dear Mother, Tve Come Home
to Die," "Flag of the Free," "Mother, When the War is Over,"
and "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again." Some of the
songs are not only remarkably sympathetic in tune, but also admit
of being recited with good effect, and add no small part to Ameri
can poesy.

Some of the situations of our camps admiUed of the Rcgirneni
being able to listen to martial music by regimental, brigade or
division bands in nearby camps. This was considered a musical
treat, and very often when the bands played such tunes as "Old
Hundred," "Nearer, My God, to Thee," "John Brown," "Colum-
bia, the Gem of the Ocean," "The Star Spangled Banner," and some
other patriotic tunes and songs, the whole Regiment would follow
the tune with the words of the song, and a volume of melody
would swell on the air in a gigantic wave of grand harmony that
was most impressive. Sometimes the effect would be most de-
cidedly thrilling, and at the conclusion the boys would yell and
cheer, in approving acclaim.

I well remember one night in the spring of 1863, when we were
in camp just outside of Murfreesboro. It was a still, pleasant
night, and the spirit of song was so strong that our camp was har-
monious with the music we furnished. Just a short distance away
was the 19th Ohio regiment which possessed an unusually fine
band. When we finished a piece the applause they gave us followed,
and then the band played its sweetest song and we applauded, and

14

2IO History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

so we alternated, one after the other, until the far-off taps sounded
at some division headquarters warned us that our concert was
near an end. Then, someone started that grand old doxology :

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Everyone joined in, and fully 800 voices sang "Old Hundred"
with a fervor and pathos never excelled. The spirit of the prayer
seemed to thrill each singer and filled us with a holiness which
could only come from the eternal Father of us all.

THE ESCORT COMPANIES AT ARMY HEAD-
QUARTERS.

SERG. T. H. SMITH, COMPANY K, PHfLADELPHIA.

NEXT to the patriotic feeling which prompted us to enlist
in the defence of our country in the dark period of the
summer of 1862, many, if not all of us, were elated with
the thought of joining a battalion, which grew into a regiment
of twelve companies, that was enlisted for special service, and that
was to be an Escort for the Commanding General and to be
attached to army headquarters.

When we were fully organized and equipped these promises
were carried out, and during our term of service it is prob-
able that at some time or other every man was called on to perform
some duty which is ordinarily entrusted to an officer of some
General's staff; so that the remark, so frequently heard from
other regiments, that the "Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry ran the
Army of the Cumberland"' had a shadow of truth in it. It was
the good fortune of the escort to be engaged in a continuous work
of this character for seventeen months during the period it was
attached to headquarters. Each one of the men saw sufficient of
the varied phases of army life and had experiences which if col-
lected would make a book in itself.

The Army of the Cumberland, under the command of General
Rosecrans, started on what was known as the TuUahoma cam-
paign on June 23, 1863. Two days afterwards Companies B and
K, under Capts. Wm. Wagner and A. B. Garner, were detailed for
duty at headquarters. On August 9th Company H, under Capt.
Edw. Sellers, at Winchester, Tenn., was added to the detachment.
While on our escort service we w^ere under two ]\Iajor-Generals
who commanded the army — Wm. S. Rosecrans and Geo. H.
Thomas — and were with the army in all its movements. It was
an exceedingly interesting duty. Few soldiers are cognizant of

211

212 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

facts except those which transpire in his own immediate view, and
even their vision is Hmited. Our outlook took in the movements of
the whole army, for no important event took place in any part with-
out some escort man happening to be there on some duty or other.
We carried dispatches to corps, division and brigade headquarters,
and soon got to know all the prominent Commanders who served
with us.

One of our duties was to inform ourselves and keep posted on
the positions held by all our troops at all times, in camp or on the
march. Our duties covered a wide scope, from acting as ordinary
soldiers on the skirmish line to riding in state behind the General
who commanded the army. When members of the General's staff
were sent to inspect fortifications, defenses or bridges, details for
escort duty were always made from our command, and we learned
the topography of the country over which the army moved. These
details were frequent, day or night, and some of our men were
in readiness with horses saddled at any hour, so that no time was
lest in getting ready. To keep the escort in the highest state of
efificiency the quartermaster department was always ready to sup-
ply our needs, even if there was a shortage for the rest of the army.

The army had moved out from Murfreesboro, Tenn., June 23d,
on the campaign against Chattanooga, and the detachment found
headquarters in the field, eight miles south of Murfreesboro, on the
Manchester turnpike. Our duties were ascertained to be the fur-
nishing of a number of orderlies daily, the remainder constituting
the escort proper of the General commanding.

The detachment participated in the battle of Hoover's Gap, and
entered Manchester on ih& 27th of June. Headquarters were es-
tablished at Tullahoma, July ist. On the 5th General Rosecrans,
accompanied only by his escort, made a tour of inspection of the
army as far as Elk River bridge and Estelle Spring. At the latter
place the detachment stopped for the night, and furnished a camp
guard and did picket duty. Next morning they returned to Tulla-
homa.

July 13th headquarters were removed to Winchester, Tenn.,
where it was maintained three weeks. While at this place the
army was reviewed by General Rosecrans ; our detachment turned
out on four occasions and each time was highly complimented by
the General on its soldierly appearance.

3 S

^ 0

The Escort Companies at Army Headquarters. 213

Headquarters were removed from Winchester to Stevenson,
Ala., early in August, where it remained until September 5th.

On Sept. 4th the detachment crossed the pontoon bridge at
Caperton's Ferry, being the first troops to cross, and scouted the
country for twelve miles south of the Tennessee River. It re-
turned the same day to Stevenson, having marched thirty-four
miles. Next day the army crossed the river, and our detachment
moved with General Rosecrans to Trenton, Ga., where it re-
mained on the 6th, when intelligence being received of the evacua-
tion of Chattanooga, headquarters moved there immediately. Next
day they moved down the valley to General Thomas' headquarters,
and on the following morning moved to Crawfish Springs.

Headquarters of the army were at this place when the battle of
Chickamauga began. The detachment was actively engaged dur-
hig the whole of this memorable fight, remaining almost constantly
saddled. Dispatches of the most vital importance were entrusted
to the men by the Commanding General, his staff not being able to
take all the messages ; all of which were promptly delivered, under
circumstances of appalling danger. When the charge was made by
the enemy on the 19th, which lost to our army the position in front
01 Widow Glenn's house, the General commanding, accompanied
by the detachment, rode rapidly toward the broken lines of our
infantry, and upon coming up to them he ordered sabers to be drawn
to force back the stragglers to their places, in the endeavor to
re-form the line. The order was obeyed until the effort proved to
be useless, the tide becoming every instant stronger and stronger,
until the detachment was obliged to fall back, being borne to the
rear by the surging crowd of retreating soldiers.

On the next day (20th) the detachment was again exposed to a
galling fire, and lost six or eight horses, three of which were
instantly killed. The men dismounted by these casualties took to
their carbines, fought gallantly on foot, contesting every inch of
the ground and vieing with the best of our infantry. Running out .
of carbine ammunition they picked up muskets, and stood up to
their work till the army reached Chattanooga, Happily, none of
these were injured except Corp. Jacob H. Isett, of Company K,
who was hurt by his horse falling on him when shot, but who
continued to fight on foot notwithstanding. He and Serg. Robert
Sowersby, of Company H, particularly distinguished themselves.

214 History of the Fifteenth Pennsyhania Cavalry.

The others are unfortunately not remembered. The detachment
received the very high compHment of being the only body of
cavalry mentioned, in the Commanding General's official report
of this bloody battle, for distinguished gallantry and prompt
obedience.

After the battle of Chickamauga Major-General Rosecrans was
relieved from the command of the army, and was succeeded by
Major-General Thomas, who, fully appreciating the usefulness
of the detachment, continued them on duty at headquarters. The
town was then closely besieged, and forage became so scarce that
all but ten of the horses of the escort died from starvation. These
ten were on duty during the battle of Mission Ridge, their riders
acting as orderlies to Generals Grant and Thomas. A long period
of inaction followed, during which nothing of interest occurred.

On the 28th of April, 1864, at the urgent solicitation of Colonel
Palmer, Company B was relieved from duty at department head-
quarters and returned to the Regiment, which was then stationed
at Rossville, Ga. Companies H and K remained, and being thor-
oughly re-equipped and remounted, started with the headquarters'
wagon trains for Ringgold, Ga., on the 2d of May, the army being
about to commence the campaign against Atlanta.

On the 6th of May they encamped at Tunnel Hill, Ga. At this
place six mounted orderlies were furnished to General Sherman.
Some of these men were afterward regularly detached and accom-
panied General Sherman on the great march ; one of them. Private
Walter, of Company K, being with the General in every battle
from Tunnel Hill, Ga., to Bentonville, N. C.

On the 14th the detachment participated in the assault on
Resaca, and was subjected to a severe artillery and musketry fire
for over eight hours.

May 27th, the army having started on a flank movement around
Allatoona.and the main roads being very much crowded with troops
and trains, General Thomas sent his headquarters' train to Dallas
on a byroad, upon which there were no troops, under escort of a
regiment of infantry, Companies H and K, Fifteenth Pennsyl-
vania Cavalry, and Company L, of the First Ohio Cavalry, with
Brigadier-General Whipple, Assistant Adjutant General, in com-
mand. When within two miles of Dallas they came upon the
pickets of the enemy, who opened quite a sharp fire upon the de-

Tlic Escort Companies at Army Headquarters. 215

tachment, which was in advance. The fire was returned with
spirit. Captain Garner immediately deployed his cavalry as skir-
mishers, and pushed forward about half a mile from where the
enemy was first met, skirmishing all the way. General Whipple,
finding such determined resistance, concluded to withdraw. Heavy
cannonading was now heard on the left, and the train was put in
motion to the rear, several miles away, where it was left, under
guard of the infantry and Ohio cavalry. The General pushed
some three miles up Pumpkin Vine Creek, with the detachment of
the Fifteenth Pennsylvania, when they met the flank of General
Hooker's corps, heavily engaged with what was afterward ascer-
tained to have been the bulk of the rebel army. General Thomas
came up in the night, and headquarters were established in the
rear of Hooker's corps, a position from which it was shelled at
daylight next morning.

The detachment continued on the march down as far as Kenne-
saw Mountain without incident, except that while at Big Shanty
Captain Garner was appointed Acting Assistant Quartermaster
on the staff of General Thomas. At Kennesaw Mountain the de-
tachment participated in the assault, and on the 4th of July moved
into Marietta, Ga.

On the 6th they arrived at Vining's Station, where headquarters
were established for several weeks, until the enemy withdrew from
the south bank of the Chattahoochee River, when the command
passed over, and, after assisting in the battle, encamped on Peach
Tree Creek,

The siege of Atlanta now commenced, during which forage be-
came very scarce, on account of raids by guerrillas and rebel
cavalry on the communications, and it was found necessary to
forage as much as possible on the country. This could only be
done on the extreme flanks of the army. This ground was com-
mon to the foragers of both armies, and the detachment had fre-
quent little skirmishes with small parties of the enemy's cavalry
who were out on similar errands. The detachment moved, with
Generals Sherman and Thomas, to the rear of Atlanta, and were
actively engaged at the battle of Jonesboro, Ga. It entered
Atlanta, September 8. 1864, and remained until October 28th.

In the meantime General Thomas was ordered to Nashville to
organize the forces north of the Tennessee River, and the detach-

2i6 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

merit was placed under the orders of Major-General Slocum,
commanding the post. While subject to these orders they accom-
panied three large foraging expeditions to Yellow and South
Rivers, Georgia, the expeditions being under the command of
Major-General Geary. They also performed picket duty at At-
lanta, the latter being incessant and hard, as the men were on
duty every other day. On the 25th of October orders were re-
ceived to guard the train belonging to department headquarters
back to Chattanooga, Tenn., the detachment arriving at Chatta-
nooga on the 4th of November, and shortly after rejoined the
Regiment near Wauhatchie, after an absence on separate duty of
over seventeen months.

It will be seen that during a portion of the time they were
absent from the Regiment the detachment was ingloriously inac-
tive while on duty at established headquarters and in garrisoned
posts, but when on the move, which occupied the greater part of
the time — for it is a matter of history that the army of the South-
west kept moving and moving, and that, too, nearly always in the
right direction- — it was exposed to as much danger and per-
formed as much field duty as any other portion of the army of
equal numbers.

HOW I BECAAIE ACQUAINTED WITH GEN.
P. H. SHERIDAN.

JOHN M. ZOLL, COMPANY K, PHILADELPHIA, PA.

SOME time after the battle of Stone River, when the Army
of the Cumberland was on the move, with temporary head-
quarters at Tullahoma, I was detailed early one morning as
escort to a native Union guide and scout, with orders to deliver
him to General Thomas, then far in the advance.

Accordingly, I saddled up, drew my rations and started for my
destination, accompanied by my Tennessee friend. He was
mounted on a large mule, was dressed in butternut clothing and
liad large saddlebags well supplied with corn bread and other
delicacies.

The guide had a very suspicious look to me, so I accordingly
watched him very closely, and had my pistol handy for any emer-
gency. But, fortunately, he was what he represented himself to
be, and no trouble occurred.

We rode nearly all day up and down mountains, chatting and
eating, without finding the headquarters of any general officer.

Just before dark, however, we reached the headquarters of Gen.
P. H. Sheridan, who was then commanding a division.

We halted, and I made inquiries as to the location of General
Thomas' command.

General Sheridan, who was present, inquired why I wished to
see General Thomas. I told him I was ordered to deliver the guide
and scout to him and then return to department headquarters with
General Thomas' receipt.

General Sheridan said he did not know General Thomas' loca-
tion exactly, but that he himself badly needed a competent guide
and scout, and would, therefore, take charge of him and give me his
receipt. I told General Sheridan my instructions were to deliver
the guide to General Thomas, but Sheridan insisted on taking

217

2i8 History of the Fiftccntli Pennsylvania Cavalry.

charge of him, and assured me that his receipt would hold me
blameless, so I was obliged to yield to superior authority.

It was then quite dark, so General Sheridan ordered the Cap-
tain of his escort to take charge of the guide and myself and our
horses, to give us supper and a tent to sleep in, and breakfast the
next morning. He ordered me to report to him before leaving
and get the receipt for the guide. He then left us.

The Captain also left us shortly afterward and entirely neglected
us. So we went to bed supperless ; neither had we any breakfast.

It seems the Captain had a card party on hand that night, with
plenty of whisky and cigars, and evidently thought of nothing else
but his own pleasure.

However, the next morning early, I saddled up, reported to
General Sheridan, told him I was ready to return and asked for
his receipt.

He replied, "All right," and inquired if I had my breakfast. I
told him I had not.

"Did you have supper last night ?"

"No, sir," I replied.

"What!" thundered the General; "no supper and no break-
fast? "Orderly!" exclaimed the General, "tell Captain Williams
to report to me at once."

In a short time the Captain reported — half asleep, unwashed,
uncombed and red-eyed from the effects of too much whisky the
previous night.

As soon as the General saw him he said: "Captain Williams,
did I not order you last night to take charge of this cavalryman and
the guide and give them supper and breakfast?"

"Yes, sir," falteringly replied the Captain.

"Then, why did you not do as I ordered? I have a notion to
tear off your shoulder straps and put you under arrest."

The General then gave the Captain the severest tongue lashing
that I have ever heard, before or since, making the morning air
actually blue.

That was the first time I understood the meaning of the expres-
sion, "He swears like a trooper."

When the General commenced disciplining the Captain, being
a modest young man, I naturally started to walk away, but Sheri-
dan insisted that I should remain and hear the conversation.

Hoiv I Became Acquainted zvitJi Gen. P. H. SJieridaii. 219

After the storm had somewhat blown over Sheridan again or-
dered the Captain to take charge of the guide and myself ; and it
is needless to say that the Captain gave us the best breakfast wc
had had for a long time and filled our haversacks to overflowing.

I then reported to General Sheridan, when he asked me my
name and Regiment, gave me my receipt and ordered me to return
to headquarters.

Thus ended my first acquaintance with General Sheridan.

ON THE COURIER LINE.

HEXRY CHALMERS, COMPANY E, AKRON, OHIO.

THE courier has many and varied experiences in his hne of
duty. Some are pleasant, but all are more or less hazardous
and dangerous. While Company E was on duty at Gen.
George H. Thomas' headquarters at Elk River, during the
campaign from Murfreesboro to Chattanooga, the frequent
heavy rain? had swollen the river to such an extent as to render
it unfordable.

General Thomas desired to send a dispatch across the river.
He called for a courier from his escort. Company A, First Ohio
Cavalry, but not a man was willing to run the risk of being
drowned. The General said: "I know who will take it — some of
those Fifteenth Pennsylvania boys." Comrade Charles P. Sellers,
with the worst mount in Company E, took the dispatch, entered the
ford and swam his horse, but, in endeavoring to make the opposite
landing, his horse was struck by a log which threw Sellers into
the river. He recovered himself, swam ashore, bringing his
horse with him, delivered the dispatch to another Company E
man, who carried it to the next post. I do not know whether
Comrade Sellers received the United States medal for meritorious
conduct or not, but I am sure that he richly deserved it. Being an
extremely modest young man he probably never applied for it.

While General Wood had his headquarters at Pelham and I
was on the line between Pelham and General Crittenden's head-
quarters, a dispatch was given me for General Crittenden it was
late in the afternoon. The road led to a ford across a stream
about seventy-five feet wide ; I never learned its name. I reached
the ford all right, crossed the stream, which was about three feet
deep. I noticed a mill to my right. The road led in a winding
way through the woods. It was sundown when I delivered my
dispatch. I received another for General Wood. As I started
to return a drizzling rain began to fall ; when I entered the woods
220

On the Courier Line. 221

il became dark. I rode down the road to where it forked and
I took the left fork. I had not gone very far when I was
halted by "Who goes there?" I began to thmk it might be a
Johnnie, so putting on a bold front I answered "friend," and de-
manded "What regiment is that?" The reply came, the "Michi-
gan." Reahzing that it was one of our pickets I felt assured, and
riding up to the picket inquired the way to the mill. He told me
to go back to the forks of the road and take the other fork. I
thanked him, bade him good-night, retraced my way, took the
other road, and after a while found myself not at the ford, but
up against the mill race. I pulled a quick rein, for in a moment
more I would have been in the race. I turned back toward the
ford, which I soon found, and rode my horse into the water. It was
so dark I could see nothing, and my horse was blind in one eye.
All was suspense. I strained eyes and ears in a vain effort to see
my way across the stream. Suddenly my horse made a spring,
I grabbed his mane, and gave him the spur. We found ourselves
up against a fence, and my horse's hind foot was slipping down the
bank. I brought him alongside the fence, patted his neck to quiet
him, dismounted, tied him and reconnoitered. I found that the
fence ran to the edge of the stream in either direction. I threw
down the rails, led my horse into a stubble field and again re-
connoitered. To the right was another field; to the left were
trees with a tangle of prickly vines. There was nothing to do but
wait.

Taking three fence rails and putting the ends on a rail of the
fence and the other ends on the ground, I lay down to rest till the
moon would rise, which would be about 2 a.m. But there was
no rest on account of the mosquitoes. A soldier has above all
things to cultivate patience. When the moon was up so that I
could see my surroundings I mounted and reconnoitered. I
crossed the field to my right to a road which paralleled the road
J should have taken ; then I struck a road running at right angles,
was soon on the right track, and in a short time I was at our
post, when the courier in waiting took the dispatch to General
Wood.

I always thought my dispatch contained the news of the fall of
Vicksburg and the victory at Gettysburg, for after I left General
Crittenden's headquarters a salute was fired.

CARRYIN'G DISPATCHES FROM GENERAL ROSE-
CRAXS TO GENERAL STANLEY.

A. D. FKAXKENliERRV, COMPANY K, POINT MARION, PA.

SEPTEMBER 4, 1863, the escort companies of General Rose-
crans were in camp at Stevenson, Ala. That day reveille was
at 4 A.M., and at once "the general" was sounded. Soon
General Rosecrans with staff, orderlies, and escort moved to
Bridgeport, Ala. The dust was terrible and the ride was one of
the most disagreeable I ever made. We crossed the Tennessee
River on a combined pontoon and trestle bridge, and went into
camp at Cave Spring, Ala.

About 10 A.M., Saturday, September 5, 1863, Serg. N. W.
Sample said to me : "Frankenberry, have you a good horse — one
able to stand a hard ride?" Eagerly I said "yes." "Report with
three days' rations for yourself and horse at once at the General's
tent." I was ready in a few minutes and at the General's tent.
General Garfield, Major Bond and a Lieutenant \vere present.
I was given dispatches to be delivered to Major-General Stanley
at not later than 10 a.m. of next day, Sunday, September 6th. I
was to take the road over the mountains to Trenton, Ga., where
I would find General Negley, for whom I had an order to furnish
me a guard of seventy-five mounted men. I was told that General
Stanley was likely to be found on a line south of Trenton and
west of Rome, Ga., and that I must allow nothing to delay me,
but must travel all night and reach the General at time indicated.
The Lieutenant of cavalry was to travel with me, but I was to be
responsible for the delivery of the dispatches.

I left at once, and on reaching the mountains dismounted and
led my horse up the steep road. I soon threw aw^ay all the forage
for my horse and most of my own rations, believing that I could
find food for both. I did not want to burden my horse with the
extra weight. The road up the mountain was well filled with the
train of the Second Division of Cavalry, and the road down on
222

Carrying Dispatches from Gen. Rosccrans to Gen. Stanley. 223

the Trenton side with the train of the Third Division of the
Twentieth Corps. There was as much difficulty in moving the
train down on the steep grade as there was in moving it up the
grade on the opposite side. The Lieutenant did not seem dis-
posed to save his horse, but rode all the time up mountain and
down mountain.

In due time I reached General Negley's headquarters at Tren-
ton, Ga., only to find that the General had no mounted men to
guard me through to Stanley that night, but that he expected a
regiment of mounted infantry to reach him during the early hours
of next day. As the enemy was in some force on the road south,
there was nothing to do but wait for the guard to arrive. Gen-
eral Negley sent a dispatch to General Rosecrans informing him
of my delay and the reason for it.

Early next morning I was ready, and soon the guard reached
me — seventy-five men of the Thirty-ninth Indiana Mounted In-
fantry. General Negley instructed the commander of the guard
that he and his men were to travel as fast as I wished to go, and
in that respect I was to have command, but if there was any
fighting, which was to be avoided if possible, the officer was to
command. The important matter was to get me to General
Stanley's lines as rapidly as possible.

We moved at a rapid rate. Soon the day became intensely hot.
Near noon we halted at a fine spring and rested men and horses,
feeding the horses and getting some dinner of corn bread and
milk, for which I paid twenty-five cents. During the march we
were fired on often, and the men were very bitter because they
were not permitted to return the fire. After a short rest we
mounted and pushed on till we reached the cavalry pickets and I
was inside of General Stanley's lines, when I dismissed the guard
and pushed on alone, and at 2.30 p.m. reached General Stanley's
headquarters and delivered the dispatch, four and one-half hours
late.

At once the General read the important dispatch, the "general"
was sounded by his bugler, and at once "boots and saddles," and
soon the command moved, except his sick and disabled. Seeing
something was not right with me, the General asked me what was
the matter and if I was sick. I told him I never had been sick,
and did not know what it was to be sick. He sent his old Sur-

224 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

geon to see me, gave me some medicine, and told me to remain
quiet. I lay down under an apple tree and slept some. It tran-
spired that I had overworked myself ; that the intense desire to
reach General Stanley with the dispatches in safety had been the
great exciting cause that had kept me up, but when the end was
accomplished the excitement died away and I was in a very
serious condition. General Stanley's old Surgeon knew more than
I credited him with, and it would have been my duty to myself to
have obeyed him.

Next day, Monday, I was not able to be up, seemed to have no
life in me, and did not want anybody to speak to me. The
Surgeon gave me some medicine, which I as promptly threw
away. I slept much of the day. Late in the evening I learned that
the way back to Trenton was occupied by our troops, and I
determined to go back, as I learned that General Rosecrans was
there ; so at an early hour I was up, fed my horse and soon left,
and reached General Rosecrans at Trenton and reported. The
General and General Garfield asked many questions as to my
trip, and directed that I be excused from duty for three days. As
we left Trenton for Chattanooga on September loth, I did not
enjoy three days' rest.

This trip brought on a disability which developed September
10, 1862, soon after we reached Chattanooga, and from which 1
still constantly suffer. The executing of the orders contained
in the dispatches to General Stanley was one of the main causes
of the evacuation of Chattanooga by Bragg, and this, while it did
not save us defeat at the battle of Chickamauga, was the real ob-
ject of the wonderful campaign.

THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN.

CAPT. WILLIAM F. COLTOX, COMPANY A, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

THE Story of this campaign and the part taken by the Fif-
teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry in the battle of Chickamauga
can be better understood by a brief description of the physi-
cal characteristics of the country traversed, showing the difficulties
to be surmounted and the dominating position of the city of Chatta-
nooga, the possession of which was the object of the cam.paign.

The railroads radiated from that city northeast toward the
Cumberland Gap and Virginia, south to Atlanta and west to the
Mississippi River. Owing to the peculiar topography and geology
of its vicinity, its occupation by either side would control the
fertile valleys of east Tennessee and threaten or protect Kentucky
and western Tennessee, as well as Georgia, while closing or open-
ing the way to Virginia.

Looking eastward from Winchester, Tullahoma and McMinn-
ville, the Cumberland Mountains or plateau loomed up as a serious
obstacle. The stratas here are horizontal — sandstone being upper-
most, underlaid by limestone. The harder stratum above pro-
tected the softer beneath, and resulted in clilt walls and steep
slopes at the edges of the rolling surface of the plateau. This
condition is most marked on its eastern edges, presenting a very
serious barrier to the movements of armies.

East of the Cumberland plateau there lie the somewhat broken
and rich valleys of the Tennessee River, which flows southwesterly
until near the southern boundary of Tennessee, when it breaks
through the plateau by a gorge. below and west of Chattanooga,
and winding between Raccoon Mountain and Walden's Ridge,
passes into the trough of Sequatchie Valley, which it follows for
about fifty miles before again breaking through the plateau in
Alabama. This gorge is approached and followed by the railroad,
which passes over the mountain at Cowan by an easily defended
pass, but one not difficult to flank to the north and south.

Beyond the towns of Stevenson and Bridgeport, in the Sequat-
15 225

226 History of the fifteenth Peiinsylvmiia Cavalry.

chie trough, rises Sand or Raccoon Mountain, beyond which and
separated from it by the Trenton or Lookout Valleys is Lookout
Mountain, whose narrow, plateau-like summit is looo feet above
the river. This could be crossed by artillery and supply trains
only by widely separated roads or trails.

Beyond this mountain and parallel with its general northeast
and southwest trend are ridges and small valleys, among which
that of Chickamauga Creek carries its waters to the Tennessee
River, above Chattanooga. A cursory glance at the maps of this
region will show that a series of formidable obstacles lay in the
path of our army in its efforts to drive the enemy from Chatta-
nooga and hold that key to the military situation.

The problem then presented to General Rosecrans was to force
Bragg out of Chattanooga by a series of flanking movements so
planned as to minimize, during their progress, the danger of de-
struction to the isolated units of the army and to bring these units
together before a general engagement. But history records how
he accomplished it and how the prize — Chattanooga — fell to us.

It remains to tell the story of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania
Cavalry in this memorable campaign and battle. Campaign B, H
and K, under Captain Garner, served as escort to the Commanding
General.

The movement of the army began August i6th, on which day
the Regiment had its usual Sunday mounted inspection. On the
17th we marched at sunrise, reached the foot of the mountain at
8.30, passed on up to the summit and camped in the woods, about
one and a half miles beyond. The ascent of the mountains was
very steep and rocky, making it necessary for detachments of our
own and other regiments to be posted along the road to help up the
artillery and wagons by pushing and with ropes. Some wagons
consumed five hours in ascending one mile. Lieutenant Kirk was
in charge of our wagon guard, which only got as far as the foot
cf the mountain.

On the 1 8th we went down the mountain five miles and camped
in Sinking Cove. Company E was sent back to help the wagons
lip the mountain, and with Companies C and F helped them down
the descent.

August jpth. — Marched at 6.45 a.m. and arrived at Stevenson
at noon — this town being the junction of the Memphis and Chatta-

The Chickainaiiga Campaign. 227

uooga and Nashville and Chattanooga Railroads. Companies C,
D and E assisted wagons to the foot of the mountain. Passing
a cedar ridge from Sinking Cove, it took fifteen men five hours
with axes to clear the timber blockade, and we then marched down
Little Crow Creek to Big Crow Creek, which we forded, and so
on eight miles to Stevenson, where we camped at the base of a
m.ountain, about one and a half miles north of the town and three
miles from the Tennessee River. In this fertile valley we found
roasting ears plenty, but the corn was hardly ripe enough for our
horses. Before the movement began one man from each company
had been selected whose business it was, when on scouting duty,
to sketch the roads to be marched over. The sketches were to
include the names of all residents, the crossroads, creeks, general
character and appearance of the country, water, forage, etc.
From this camp parties were sent out on the different roads from
day to day to make these sketches, and these, and many others
made later, were exceedingly useful.

August 20th. — Companies G, I, L and M arrived with the head-
quarters and other wagon trains. During the day the Regiment
escorted General Rosecrans to Caperton's Ferry, and found rebel
pickets on the opposite side of the river. Rosecrans had a talk
with them, and they said : "That Dutchman Rosecrans is a pretty
good man, but Bragg would turn out all right yet."

The weather was now bright and dry, hot in the daytmie and
cold at night, and the corn was ripening rapidly, so that we could
soon begin feeding it to our animals.

August 22d. — Captain DeW'itt with Companies D and I was
out making a reconnoissance.

August 2jd. — The Adjutant with a small party was sent down
to the river, at the mouth of Crow Creek, to reconnoiter for a
pontoon bridge, and made a favorable report.

August 24th. — ^Companies D, F and I escorted General Rose-
crans again to the river, and at 5 p.m. Companies E, G, L and M,
under Captain Kramer, scouted toward Jasper, and returned
on the 26th.

August 2jth. — Rosecrans visited Bridgeport at noon, and started
toward Jasper, going as far as Nickajack Ferry, where the rebels
had works for the extraction of saltpeter from the earth deposits
in caves.

228 History of the Fifteenth Pemisyli'aiiia Cavalry.

All gust 2pth. — Part of our forces commenced crossing the river
on a pontoon bridge at Big Cove (or Crow) Creek, and General
Rosecrans with our Regiment went across and returned, only two
shots being fired.

August 30th. — Preaching in camp. Our troops are now cross-
ing the river in large numbers.

August j/.yf. — The Regiment was mustered and inspected by
Captain Harbert according to army regulations.

September ist. — Company E forded the river, and built a small
bridge on one of the roads going up Sand Mountain.

September 2d. — Mounted inspection in the afternoon. Our
Commissary laid in rations for twenty-four days.

September 4th. — ^Marched at 7 o'clock. Our wagons crossed
the river on the pontoon bridge, opposite Stevenson, but the Regi-
ment forded the river about four miles further up stream, the men
removing their boots and stockings and crossing in column of
fours, finding the water about four feet deep. Passed on up
Island Creek to Cave Spring, near the house of a Mr. Edwards,
who was a Union guide. General Rosecrans arrived at 6 o'clock
and camped near us. Company I was detailed as rear guard to
our wagon train and the headquarters' train, and found some of the
wagons so badly strained and weakened by their mountain experi-
ence that they broke down and were abandoned. On this date we
established a courier line between Stevenson and Bridgeport, with
fifteen men from one of the escort companies, placing posts at
Widow's Creek (Big Spring) and Beaver's Mill. At 1.15 p.m.
a courier line of eight and a half miles was also established from
Cave Spring to Bridgeport, with posts at Edwards' and Clubfoot
Moore's. Sergeant Beck was in charge at Bridgeport.

September §th. — The Regiment went on with General Rose-
crans about four miles to the foot of the mountain, and found the
road blocked with wagons. Several Companies were out to-day,
reconnoitering roads and making sketch maps.

September 6th. — In camp until 11 a.m. Many of our men
visited Hill's Cave, and during a visit to this cave by General
Rosecrans and staff, the General's rather bulky form became
wedged in a narrow passage, and for a few minutes it was a ques-
tion whether the campaign might not have to be continued under
the next senior General.

The Chickainaiiga Campaign. 229

Parties of our men were again sent out to report on roads.
Company F went to Whitesides to communicate with Crittenden
and establish a courier line, which was on the 9th extended to
Chattanooga.

At II o'clock the Regiment marched twelve miles up, across
and down Sand Mountain to a camp, at 4 o'clock, beyond Trenton,
nineteen miles from Chattanooga.

Two couriers from Company A were sent north, with dis-
patches for General Burnside at Knoxville. We have also a
courier line to Jasper.

September jtJi. — Colonel Palmer, with the Adjutant, four men
and a guide, reconnoitered up the eastern side of the valley six
miles to Nickajack Trace, an old Indian trail from Shellmound,
and the same day the Regiment moved camp nearer to Trenton,
where it was discovered that a canteen of whisky could be had for
fifty cents.

A courier post was established about three miles from Trenton,
on the Chattanooga road, to connect with Crittenden, and at 5
o'clock. Captain Betts, with Company F, was ordered to extend
his line to Whitesides and take through some dispatches to the
nearest telegraph operator. Lieutenant Mather and Sergeant
Marshall with five men halted at \"an Cleve's headquarters, but
Captain Betts with four men pushed on, via Shellmound, to
Bridgeport, and delivered the dispatches to the operator there on
the 8th and rejoined the Regiment on the 9th.

September 8th. — Captain McAllister with a small party exam-
ined the region down the valley, while Captain Clark with four
men examined another road up Lookout Mountain. Lieutenant
Logan had charge of the pickets toward Nickajack and McKaig
Traces, and Commissary Hinchman went out wuth a party for
forage. At midnight Companies L and G were sent out to form a
courier line, of twenty-five miles, from Trenton, to communicate
with McCook at Winston. On this date the center of the army
was at or near Trenton, and Crittenden's headquarters were near
Whitesides, six miles north. On the 8th, 9th and loth Company I
was sent out without rations — living on the country — scouting the
mountains toward Bridgeport and Caperton's Ferry.

September pth. — Crittenden entered Chattanooga with music
and colors flying, the Ninety-second Illinois being the first Regi-

230 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

ment to enter the town. A good many details for courier and
other duties left very few of our Regiment in camp.

September loth. — The Regiment marched at 3 o'clock in the
morning, Company E guarding the wagons. The march was very
slow, but at half past nine we entered Chattanooga with General
Rosecrans. Thomas is now crossing at Steven's Gap, and Mc-
Cook twenty-five miles farther south. At this time we had but
two companies and our wagon train with us. At 2 o'clock in
the afternoon, under orders from Colonel Goddard, we moved
southjward six miles up Chattanooga Valley, and camped at
Hick's place, where there was good water and forage, but at half
past ten at night Colonel Palmer brought out orders from Chatta-
nooga for us to cautiously break camp and return to Chatta-
nooga, as the enemy's pickets were only a short distance south,
and four companies of our infantry had been captured near
there.

September nth. — The Regiment — four companies, including
Company I — marched to Lee & Gordon's mill, on a reconnoisance
v\ith Barker's brigade, and skirmished with the rebel cavalry.
We reached the mill at dusk, and returned by another road.

Soon after passing General Marker's pickets there came a chal-
lenge from the darkness in front "Halt! who goes there?" As
none of our troops were in that direction a few men from the
advance company charged the enemy, who fired a few shots and
then ran. The column continued its march and at each house we
came to an officer was sent to question its inmates as to name,
roads, and other information necessary for our Colonel to compile
a map for the use of the Army. At one place at a house on our
right, in answer to the inquiries who lived there, the answer came
"Widow Toe," and all the preliminary maps used in that campaign
were so marked. Later it was found that the "widow" was a
man named Vidito, one of a Swiss colony, who had settled there
and the later maps bore his name.

Arrived in camp 3 o'clock in the morning. On that day and the
next considerable fighting was going on along Bragg's rear, about
fourteen miles south of Chattanooga, in which Company C was
engaged, without loss. On this day General Crittenden reported
that Captain McCook met a company of the Anderson Cavalry at
Rossville, and sent them in pursuit of a party of about twenty-

The CJiickaiiiauga Campaign. 231

three rebel cavalry who had attacked him. Afterward firing was
heard in that direction.

September 13th. — Marched at 11.30 a.m.. Company I in ad-
vance, and with General Rosecrans and staff passed up the moun-
tain road to the summit of Lookout Mountain, then along the
plateau and down by Cooper's Gap to General Thomas' headquar-
ters, near Steven's Gap, where we camped at 11 p.m., keeping our
horses saddled ready for any move to the front.

September 14th. — Company E reported to Major Bond for duty.
Tom Gitt, of Company C, was shot to-day while carrying a dis-
patch. He got on the wrong road, and coming to the place where
he supposed our courier post was, found no one there. Starting
back, to report the post captured, he was shot and wounded
severely, but not dangerously. It is supposed he was shot by one
of Wilder's men. Company I on courier duty from Geneial
Thomas' headquarters to Gordon's mill, fourteen miles.

September ijth. — Marched at 2 p.m. up Chattanooga Valley,
and camped eleven miles from Chattanooga and five miles south
of Hick's place, from which we had so suddenly withdrawn on the
night of the loth. One of our men had his horse shot to-day.
Our courier line between Trenton and Chattanooga was with-
drawn. Lieutenant Kirk and ten men were sent to establish a line
to Crittenden, who was supposed to be at Lee & Gordon's mill,
but he had withdrawn and moved down the Crawfish road. On
the i6th a post was established at his headquarters, at Cave Spring.
Afterward Kirk received orders to bring his men to Pond Spring
and make a post near to D. Dickey's. This order was soon coun-
termanded. Captain DeWitt should have established a courier
post at Pond Spring, but failed to do so, and this threw the courier
line into confusion. About midnight five men from Company M
established a post from Pond Spring to Singleton. Captain
Clark with Company E returned from a trip on the mountain.

On the same day the Regiment marched east four miles, to
Crawfish Spring — a very large and beautiful spring, the stream
from which is about 200 feet wide. Missionary Ridge was now
in our rear and the enemy east of Pigeon Mountain. Pond Spring
is six miles south of Crawfish Spring, and to our right were the
infantry and cavalry, as far as Steven's Gap. We had but one
company at regimental headquarters here, but our courier lines

232 History of the Fifteenth Pennsyiz'ania Cavalry.

having been contracted and two companies of the Ninety-second
llHnois Mounted Infantry being assigned to Colonel Palmer for
courier duty, by the i8th all our nine companies were in camp. Of
the three companies attached to department headquarters, one has
been sent back to Chattanooga with our wagon train.

September i/tJi. — Generals Thomas and McCook arrived and
made camp near Pond Spring. General Rousseau's regulars
marched by. A small detachment of the Regiment under Col. Pal-
mer scouted to Lee & Gordon's mill. Company F escorted Gen-
eral ]\Iorton outside the pickets in front of Van Cleve's division,
and about one mile beyond ran into the rebel pickets, driving them
back half a mile, and then retired.

September iSth. — The weather was now cool and pleasant.
Kirk's courier post was relieved by mounted infantry, and on his
way back to our camp stopped at Serg. J. C. Reiff's post, wdiere
he found the Sergeant's horse dying from a rifle wound which
he had shortly before received from rebel infantry in an attempt
to secure a map of the country in which we were operating.
Mr. Abercrombie, who lived nearby, had told Reiff that such a map
could be found at Mr. Childer's house, just across the Chicka-
mauga, and not more than three-quarters of a mile from his post.
Knowing its importance, Reifif took two men and went in haste
for it. They reached the stream, which was crossed by a bridge,
and just beyond, surrounded by trees and bushes, was Childer's
house. Leaving one man on guard he started to cross, and had
just got on the bridge when they received a volley of musketry
from the rebels, who were concealed in the bushes around Childer's
house. Neither was hit. Both turned and ran, but Reifif's horse
caught its hoof in the planking of the bridge, and before he could
get it loose the rebels fired again, but only hit the horse.

Company I arrived at Crawfish Spring about dusk from the
courier post at Pond Spring, and left soon after with important
orders from headquarters to Colonel Minty. who, with about 6000
cavalry, was at Blue Bird Gap of Pigeon Mountain, about twenty
miles south. During the night camp fires along the front of the
army were maintained, but behind them, in the darkness, our
troops were all night changing position to the left. Company 1
suddenly came upon a solid mass of our infantry marching north-
ward. The surprise was mutual and full of danger. Our men

The Chickainanga Campaign. 233

heard the click of thousands of muskets, and in a moment would
have been wiped out of existence had not their character been
rapidly explained. Minty was found, and at sunrise carried out
his orders by closing up on the right of our army, while Company
I rejoined the Regiment about noon.

Severe skirmishing and heavy cannonading were going on nearly
all day, and all reports and movements indicated that the enemy
was concentrating opposite our left. Our horses remained sad-
dled, and each man was supplied with forty rounds of carbine and
eighteen of pistol ammunition and half rations for six da^•s.

September ipth, Saturday. — First day of battle of Chickamauga.
Reveille at 3 o'clock in the morning. Our Regiment was in line of
battle all day. At about 10 o'clock, when the fog lifted, the enemy
attacked the left wing and left center of the armv in great
force. At the same hour General Rosecrans moved his head-
quarters with our Regiment to Widow Glenn's house, on the Dry
Valley road, about three and a half miles northeast of Crawfish
Spring, and immediately in rear of the point of attack.

From this position but little could be seen of the fighting lines,
but the smoke and dust of the conflict and bursting of shells could
plainly be seen above the trees. Here the General, with a common
blue overcoat about his shoulders and with a light-colored felt hat
on his head, paced up and down, glass in hand, directing his
troops and receiving reports. Orderlies and couriers and staff
officers were continually coming and going with orders and re-
ports from the line. Officers were riding up and going off at full
speed with verbal orders. Messages flashed over the field tele-
graph from general officers reporting the varying phases of the
battle. It was a scene of great interest and intensity. Now the
musketry would be terrific, far exceeding, it was said, that of the
seven days' fight on the Peninsula. Now the sound of battle
would move nearer, the artillery firing increasing in force, and the
General would hurry oft' a courier here and a courier there, his
eyes sparkling, his questions quick and earnest, his orders brief.
Then the noise of the conflict would recede, and the Commander's
pacing would be resumed.

General Morton, of the Engineers, with maps and compass, was
near by at a table, noting bv ear and from reports the localities
of the various waves of conflict. General Garfield, Chief of Staff,

234

History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

and the Assistant Adjutant General, with other members of the
staff, were at hand sending off the General's orders as they were
given. It was a dramatic picture rarely witnessed, and long to be
remembered.

At about 4 o'clock in the afternoon the enemy, massing his
columns, pressed General Davis sorely, driving him some distance,
but General Negley, that fine soldier, coming up with his division
at dusk, on the double quick, drove the rebels back — this being
just to the left and in front of headquarters. To the right of head-
quarters General John M. Palmer was similarly pressed, with
great loss, but Sheridan came up to his relief and he held the
ground.

So night closed in on the scene. We held the field, but many
slain lay silent there, and there were thousands of wounded ; while,
weary and worn, our brave soldiers rested on their arms in line of
battle, to sleep during the damp and chilly night. The wounded
who could walk, for a long time kept passing by to the rear to the
ambulances and temporary hospitals.

During the day our Regiment was detained at headquarters —
"I may need you," Rosecrans said — but many of our men were on
the fighting line, and rendered very efficient service, carrying dis-
patches and messages. Captain Kramer with Companies L and
M were thrown out to the rear as skirmishers, to prevent a sur-
prise by rebel cavalry, and at night we also put out strong vedettes
in the same direction. Early in the night the Fifteenth went to the
rear for water, but did not find it, and later many details were
made to build fires on the front, behind which many corrections of
the line were made. All night our horses remained saddled, with
the men before them, ready for instant service.

September 20th, Sunday. — Early in the foggy morning we went
about two and a half miles to the rear for water and corn, and
returned to the battlefield at about 10 o'clock, when the battle was
again raging fiercely. We halted in the rear of headquarters* to
feed our horses. General' Rosecrans had moved from Widow

*On that spot, on November 13, 1897, with appropriate ceremonies was
dedicated a monument to mark the position occupied by the Regiment. On
that interesting occasion eighty-one survivors of the Fifteenth were pres-
ent, and a full account of the ceremonies was published in " Pennsylvania
at Chickamauga and Chattanooga," pp. 341-366.

The Chickamauga Campaign. 235

Glenn's early in the morning with our escort companies, and
estabhshed himself on a slight eminence, near the Dyer house,
about one mile further north. One of our men wrote : "Here the
shell flew about us briskly. I was orderly and had to be near the
General, ready to carry dispatches. Two of us were sent down
to drive back stragglers, who now commenced to fall to the rear.
One man had his hand bound up and said he was shot through the
hand, but I made him take off the bandage and found he was not
touched. Next I carried a dispatch to General McCook, whom I
found down on the field. I heard him read the dispatch to bring
up two brigades to support the center, but it was too late ; our
center gave way and the troops came flying from the field m great
disorder. This was between 11.30 and 12 o'clock. Captain Garner,
commanding the escort, had his horse shot, and Lieutenant Field
was cut slightly in the head with a piece of shell. General Rose-
crans had to mount in a hurry to avoid capture. At this juncture
a regiment came to the rescue, running up in fine style and cheer-
ing. They met the rebels at the top of the hill, and in a moment
came runnifig back, completely scattered."

The notes of the writer (who was then Adjutant) as to this
phase of the battle, made shortly after the battle, are as follows :
"While our horses were feeding, my attention was attracted by
flocks of small birds flying among us and over our heads from the
battle line. The sight was so unusual that I went to the brow of
the hill, and looking over the field, at the instant when Longstreet
made his fatal charge, saw our lines broken. I then mounted, rode
up the hill, and asked Colonel Palmer, who was at headquarters,
if he had any orders. 'Draw the Regiment up in line just behind
this hill,' he said. I cast a glance to the front as I turned and saw
the two lines belching fire and smoke at each other — dark, irregu-
lar lines — but could not see much. When I got down the hill Cap-
tain Betts was about placing the Regiment in the position indi-
cated by the Colonel.

"Just as the Regiment got in line the storm burst on us. The
right center of our army was broken, and two divisions were fleeing
in a panic in a storm of grape, canister and musketry. Helter-
skelter they came, rushing over and around the hill, with the
enemy hard upon their heels, yelling like demons. The escort
mounted, the General and staff mounted, and the General's only

236 History of the Fifteenth Pennsykania Cavalry.

orders to Colonel Palmer were, 'Stop those stragglers!' Bullets and
shells now flew around our heads freely, one man of Company C
being wounded and several horses shot. With saber in hand we
did what we could to induce the panic-stricken men to rally
around a flag which was pointed out to them with scarce a dozen
men around its sacred folds. Colonel Palmer then took the Regi-
ment farther to the rear, and deployed there to stop as many strag-
glers as possible, and General Rosecrans and his staff were warmly
engaged in the same efifort. When I left the open field our Regi-
ment had passed out of sight to the rear, and to avoid capture I
passed into the woods toward the ridge, but could not find the
Regiment, so I wandered near the front, because I thought Gen-
eral Rosecrans would be somewhere there.

"In about an hour I went south toward Crawfish Spring, finding
Wilder's dismounted men in line of battle, and then I turned
north again toward Widow Glenn's, having meanwhile picked up
Frank Hinngard, one of our guides. Near the Glenn house a sec-
tion of howitzers, supported by rebel infantry, fired at us, and as
the service of their guns was too good for comfort, we fell back
over the hill to the west, and soon afterward found the Regiment
on its way to Chattanooga Valley, whither it had been ordered,
to protect the rear of a large train of wagons en route to Chatta-
nooga."

E. W. Anderson, Sergeant Company ]\I, said at the Twenty-
second Banquet : "On Sunday, a little before the line was broken,
General Rosecrans sent one of his staff out to the left to see if
he could get the location of Longstreet, and I, with others, was
detailed to escort him out there. All below we could see Wood's
division in line of battle. We halted about ten minutes, when we
saw that division move by fours to the left, leaving a gap in the
line of 100 or 200 yards, and the enemy immediately took advan-
tage of it. The Aide (I don't know who he was) turned to me
and said : 'That is Longstreet's corps.' He hardly had the words
out of his mouth before I saw the advance and the soldiers run-
ning. I saw the capture of Lilly's battery of six guns, and then
we started for headquarters."

S. L. Wilson said at the Twenty-third Banquet: "At the time
our line was broken the first sound Bugler Miller gave was
'forward!' They forgot all about 'preparing to mount.' They

Tlic Chickaiiiaiiga Campaign. 237

mounted then, and Colonel Laniborn commanded 'fours right!'
The next command was 'draw saber' and then 'column left,' and
then we were on the ridge, keeping the stragglers back."

Late on that memorable afternoon, following our broken bri-
gades, our Regiment, under orders from General Sheridan, passed
into Chattanooga \'alley, and there, during part of the night, sent
out scouting parties toward Pond Spring and Steven's Gap and
picketed the valley, as a protection to the batteries and wagon
trains of the army. We fed our weary, hungry horses, not neg-
lecting the proper use of the half rations issued at Crawfish
Springs, and later, being relieved by General Mitchell, went on to
our old camping ground on Cameron Hill, in Chattanooga, arriv-
ing there about 10 o'clock. Company L had been sent ten miles
out on Lookout Mountain to watch the movements of the enemy,
and was cut off, but later succeeded in making its way through
the lines and rejoined the Regiment.

It is proper to state here that General Rosecrans, in his official
report of the campaign, recorded the following recognition of the
services of the Regiment :

"It is my duty to notice the services of those faithful officers
who have none but mvself to mention them :

"Col. \Mlliam J. Palmer, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and
his command, have rendered vcrv valuable services in keeping
open communications and watching the movements of the enemy,
which deserve mv warmest thanks.

"Captain Garner and the escort deserve mention for untiring
energy in carrying orders."

And this narrative would be incomplete without recording thai
at a later date Capt. Anthony Taylor received the Congressional
Medal of Honor "for meritorious services on the battlefield of
Chattanooga."

From incomplete data, it appears that our casualties in this
campaign were as follows : Lieutenant Field woimded, two en-
listed men wounded and three enlisted men captured or missing.
Our effective force reports were as follows :

238 History of the Fifteenth Peniisyhaiiia Cavalry.

September 10. — 25 officers, 450 enlisted men and horses.
September 20.^27 officers, 411 enlisted men and horses.
September 28. — 2"/ officers, 414 enlisted men and horses.

Headquarters Department of the Cumberland,

Chattanooga, Tenn., October 2, 1863.
General Orders No. 222,

Army of the Ciiinberland:

You have made a grand and successful campaign.

You have driven the rebels from middle Tennessee.

You have crossed a great mountain range, placed yourself on
the banks of a broad river, crossed it in the face of a powerful
opposing army, and crossed two other great mountain ranges at
the only practicable passes, some forty miles between extremes.

You concentrated in the face of superior numbers, fought the
army of Bragg, which you drove from Shelbyville and Tullahoma,
combined with that of Johnston's from Mississippi and the tried
veterans of Longstreet's corps, and for two days held them at bay,
giving them blow for blow, with heavy interest. When the day
closed you held the field, from which you withdrew in the face of
overpowering numbers to occupy the point for which you set
out — Chattanooga !

You have accomplished the great work of the campaign. You
hold the key of East Tennessee, of Northern Georgia and of the
enemy's mines of coal and niter.

Let these achievements console you for the regret you experi-
ence that arrivals of fresh hostile troops forbade your remaining
on the field to renew the battle for the right of burying your
gallant dead and caring for your brave companions who lay
wounded on the field. The losses you have sustained, though
heavy, are comparatively slight, considering the odds against you
and the stake you have won. You hold in your hands the sub-
stantial fruits of a victory, and deserve and will receive the honor
and plaudits of a grateful nation, which asks nothing, even of those
who have been fighting us, but obedience to the constitution and
laws established for our common benefit.

The General commanding earnestly begs every officer and sol-
dier of this army to unite with him in thanking Almighty God
for his favors to us. He presents his hearty thanks and congratu-

The Chickamauga Campaign. 239

lations to all the officers and soldiers of this command for their
energy, patience and perseverance and for the undaunted courage
displayed by those who fought with such unflinching resolution.
Neither the history of this war nor probably the annals of any
battle furnish a loftier example of obstinate bravery and endur-
ing resistance to superior numbers, when troops, having exhausted
their ammunition, resorted to the bayonet so many times to hold
their position against such odds, as did our left and center, com-
prising troops from all the corps, on the afternoon of the 20th of
September, at the battle of Chickamauga.
By command of ]\Iajor-General Rosecrans.

C. GODDARD,

Assistant Adjutant General.

And so closed that eventful campaign, which, so far as this
Regiment was concerned, is not to be measured by losses on the
held of battle, but by the effective, intelligent service of its
officers and men in scouting and reconnoitering on the flanks
and in the face of the enemy, in forming courier lines, in bearing
dispatches in unfamiliar and dangerous regions by night and day,
in gathering data for local maps and in furnishing adequate escort
and protection for the Commanding General.

Time has dulled our memories of many details of the service
performed more than forty years ago. Happily much of the
discomforts and hardships and sufferings have faded from our
minds. But time cannot dull the satisfaction of having done our
best in that campaign, much of which we saw and part of which
we were.

We can congratulate ourselves on such a record ; w^e can be
proud that our General so handsomely recognized us in his official
report ; and we have the undying memory that we were of that
famous army to which he addressed his General Order Xo. 227.

IXXIDEXTS DURING THE BATTLE OF
CHICKAMAUGA.

JOHN M. DAVIS^ COMPANY B, PHILADELPHIA.

IT was my good fortune to be detailed as orderly to Gen-
eral Rosecrans during the Chickamauga campaign in 1863.
After forty years most of the events are dim, and but a
few occurrences are as vivid to-day as then. General Rose-
crans established his headquarters at the Widow Glenn's house.
The battle of Chickamauga was fought on Saturday and Sun-
day. Our supply wagons could not keep up, and that battle
was fought with empty haversacks. General Rosecrans and staff
were no better off. I remember being detailed by Colonel Palmer,
who was with General Rosecrans, about 11 o'clock Saturday
night with a squad of four to go to Crawfish Springs on our
extreme right, perhaps some two miles distant, but which seemed
like six miles, with a small keg across the pommel of my saddle,
to obtain water for coffee for headquarters. Everything was
burning that could buri^i, to deceive the rebels as to our move-
ments. We reached Crawfish Springs about midnight. I dipped
my keg into the spring and returned to headquarters, reaching
there, perhaps, about i o'clock. Coffee was made for the officers,
and a few strips of bacon and a few scattered crackers constituted
their rations for about forty hours, if I remember correctly.

During the hottest part of the fight on Saturday afternoon I
was sent with a dispatch to a staff officer on the firing line. Gal-
loping to the indicated point I found myself within the rebel lines,
a Confederate charge having just been made — in fact, it was at
that moment in progress. Our forces in front of Widow Glenn's
house were making a countercharge, and in less time than it takes
to tell it some 200 or 300 Confederates found themselves en-
veloped by our advancing lines on our right and left. For a
moment I was at loss to know whether I v/as captured or whether
the Confederates were captured. I quickly solved the uncertainty
240

Incidents Dnriiig the Baffle of Cliickaniauga. 241

by spurring my horse and galloping- into their midst and yelling,
at the top of my voice, "Surrender, you devils! surrender!" It
was a most ridiculous thing to do, perhaps, in the roar and smoke
of battle, with charge and countercharge going on all around,
but there was nothing else to do. I saw our lines rushing for-
ward on our right and left and knew the Confederates were
virtually captured. To mv great surprise and immense relief the
Confederates dropped their arms, even the officers — some of them,
at least. Taking courage from my brilliant achievement, I shouted
"Fall in line!" and to my surprise the entire 200 or 300 men and
officers quickly formed and started after me.

Under the excitement of the moment I kept my horse mov-
ing at a good pace. Before going far the Confederates called out
to me: "Say. Yank, can't you go slower? We can't walk so
fast."

Realizing the fact I immediatelv slowed up, and takmg ad-
vantage of the opportunity, and enjoying for the moment mv self-
importance, I looked back over the line of men. I remember to
this day the stamp of American nobility on their blanched faces.
They were as anxious to get to where I was taking them (Gen-
eral Rosecrans' headquarters) as I was to get them there, as the
rain of Confederate bullets kept whistling around us. After some
little time I reached headquarters, and Colonel Palmer imme-
diately came out and looked at the line of men, who were glad
to halt.

"Take them to Colonel Pinkerton," said Colonel Palmer, and
there they were taken.

Another incident showing the fierceness of the conflict oc-
curred Saturday afternoon, when the Confederates made a terrific
onslaught on our immediate front and General Rosecrans ordered
his entire staff to mount and be ready to retreat. Every officer
and man instantly mounted, while the Confederate column swept
on toward us. excepting General Rosecrans himself and Colonel
Palmer. Their eyes and the eyes of everyone were riveted on the
advancing column of Confederates and our retreating and scat-
tered line. The enemy came very close, but recoiled through ex-
haustion, our scattered line re-formed and advanced, and General
Rosecrans and staff returned to the porch.

Another incident that made an indelible impression on my
16

242 History of flic Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

mind occurred on Saturday afternoon while I was carrying a
dispatch to an officer on the firing Hne whose name I do not re-
call. Galloping through the underbrush I heard terrific yells, and
looking in the direction from which they came I saw a stalwart
soldier of our side lying bleeding. He had pulled ofif his trousers
in his vain attempt to stop the flow of blood from an ugly wound
on the side of his thigh. His piercing enlreaties induced me to
stop a moment, but I called to him, "I can't stop." I galloped
to the firing line, found the officer I was after, deHvered the dis-
patch, and galloped back to where I found the soldiers whose
duty it was to bear off the wounded. I asked two or three of
them to go to a point I indicated and bring in the bleeding
soldier. I have often wondered what became of him. We had
no field hospital, if I rightly recall it, and the Surgeons had no
facilities during that battle for rendering assistance to the
wounded. I may possibly be wrong in this.

I distinctly recall a scene on Sunday afternoon which occurred
during the rout of our infantry, artillery, ammunition and supply
wagons, and everything else. All went tearing pell-mell through
fields, woods, underbrush and through fences, on their way to
Chattanooga. General McCook had gathered a score or more of
officers together after having in vain tried to stem the tide of re-
treat. He had found a citizen, and I heard the General say to
him, with his revolver almost under the man's nose: "If you
guide us into the rebel lines I will blow your head off." The
General used some additional adjectives. Confederates seemed
to be all around us, but the citizen piloted us out safely, and
toward evening we reached Chattanooga, hearing all the time the
thunder of "Pap" Thomas' infantry that stood like a stone wall
on our left checking the advance of Hood and Longstreet.

Another incident of the rout occurred Saturday afternoon.
Capt. Garner had gathered a few of us together, some thirty or
forty probably, and attempted to stop as many of our fleeing in-
fantry as he could. A bullet struck his horse between his eyes
and he dropped, but the Captain soon found one of the manv
horses rushing aimlessly about without riders. My horse was
shot about the same time.

Some months afterward my duties took me to the battlefield
of Chickamauga. The War Department gives our losses at that

Incidents During the Bottle of Chickanianga. 243

battle at 17,851,. which was the bloodiest battle of the war, not
even excepting Gettysburg or Cold Harbor for the numbers en-
gaged. As far as my eye could reach I could see lines of graves
with here and there heads and feet sticking out. They had been
uncovered by the rains. I traced with my eye a white zigzag
line on the ground running through the woods and fields. I
examined it. It was made up of bits of chewed-of¥ paper of the
ends of cartridges which General Thomas' soldiers threw at their
feet as they stood there that hot September afternoon, hour after
hour, grimly meeting the onslaughts of Hood and dying there
by the hundreds, to remain unburied for months.

AT HEADQUARTERS DURING THE BATTLE
OF CHICKAMAUGA.

JOHX E. BROWN^ COMPANY H. LOS ANGELES, CAL.

THE escort was in bivouac at Crawfish Springs on the
morning of the first day's fight at Chickamauga. Reveille
sounded about 4 o'clock, and John Lingerfield, our Com-
missary Sergeant, issued to us some excellent beef which we
cooked over our fires, and with it and good hard-tack made our
breakfast. All signs indicated that the dates of our next
meals were uncertain, and the thoughtful ones made up sand-
wiches of beef and hard-tack, which were stored in their haver-
sacks for future use.

Out in front, along our whole line, the skirmishers of each
army were popping away at each other except away over on
our left, where Gen. George H. Thomas was, the heavy volleys
of musketry told of more serious work being done. We were all
saddled up and standing "to horse" when General Rosecrans
and staff passed us on the way to Widow Glenn's house, in and
around which was his headquarters the first day, and the escort
fell in behind the stafif and followed.

The movements of the troops and the near sound of battle are
always an exhilaration, but at times gloomy thoughts flitted
through my brain — why, I did not know. Our General was one
of the finest who ever commanded an army, and it was an army
that had never been defeated. Vague rumors were flying of a
heavy concentration of Confederates to crush us, and it may be
that these had something to do with the feeling I could not throw
ofif that this was the time that the old Army of the Cumberland
would not come out on top as it had always done before.

Just before we reached Widow Glenn's house I was sent with

a dispatch to the officer in command of the troops at Lee &

Gordon's mill, with orders to "ride hard." I was well mounted

on a pacer that had belonged to our Quartermaster. Lieutenant

244

At Headquarters During the Battle of Chickamauga. 245

George S. Fobes, who liked a sedate animal with a good walk.
This one was very fast and gay, so we traded. He was very intel-
ligent, seemed to know what I said to him and at my command
would lie down. It was a mutual love affair between us. It did
not take me long to deliver the dispatch, and within fifteen min-
utes the battle opened furiously on that part of the line where
they had only been skirmishing before, and I felt a growing im-
portance in having done something to start the fight.

It is hard to recall more than a few of the many incidents that
happened in the next two days during the battle. We were kept
on the go continually, carrying messages, acting as orderlies to
stafY officers, and at night building fires at places where no troops
were, to deceive our enemies. V^ery early in the morning of the
second day's fight I was sent with a verbal message to General
Thomas by General Rosecrans. The very words he uttered have
been engraved on my memory, and to this day I cannot help re-
peating them just as I did on my ride so that I would not forget
them: "Orderly," he said, "ride to General Thomas on our left
and tell him, with my compliments, that there are a number of
pieces of artillery in front and to the left of Glenn's house that
seem to have no owners, and to see that they are taken in and
cared for; also to hold the Chattanooga road."

It was about 6 o'clock in the morning when I got to General
Thomas. He was sitting on his horse as calm as a summer's
day, and no man could have fathomed his thoughts at that mo-
ment, for he appeared to me no different from other occasions
when I had carried dispatches to him which were of minor im-
portance. There had been heavy fighting right here where he was,
as dead men lay scattered around, and I noticed the flaps of their
cartridge boxes were all open, the survivors having transferred
their contents to their own depleted boxes. General Thomas made
use of no unnecessary words and impressed one with the fact that
he meant to do what he said. The message he returned was :
"Give my compliments to General Rosecrans, and tell him I will
take care of the cannon and will hold the road at all hazards."
With this word I started back to Widow Glenn's and reported it
to General Rosecrans.

A little later I was sent out as orderly to Major Seys, Assistant
Medical Inspector of the army. We went out just behind the

246 History of the Fifteenth Pennsyhania Cavalry.

firing line to superintend the proper placing of the wounded in
the ambulances, which were drawn up ready to receive their
human freight when brought in by the stretcher bearers. He was
a gallant officer and did not have much fear in his composition,
but I thought at the time that he could have got through his
work a little faster, and not left me under a hot musketry fire, with
two spirited horses to hold and not even a tree with which to
protect myself. It was enough to demoralize a better man, or
rather boy, than I was at that time. Both horses were slightly
wounded but I never got a scratch. It is very hard on one's
nerves to be under fire and not doing anything to injure those
who are trying to injure you. I would rather be on the front
line any time than hold horses just back of it. It gives some
foundation for some very bad dreams all the rest of one's life.
After an hour of this mental torture the Major was relieved and
we went back to headquarters, and I thanked my heavenly Father
that I was still in the land of the living.

Just a little while after came that massed charge of Longstreet's
Corps, of the Virginia army, which struck our line of battle at its
weakest spot, the division that had been holding it having just
moved away in response to an order to reinforce General Thomas
on the left which should never have been given, and would never
have been given had the situation pending at that point been
known. It came just in front of headquarters, and General
McCook, who held the field to the right of us, had to fall back in
such a hurry that he lost nearly everything on wheels. Some
very desperate fighting took place right here, but it was impossi-
ble to make headway against the heavy force of the enemy or even
hold what we had. A part of our force fell back up the Mission-
ary Ridge, but the greater part went to General Thomas and
reinforced that "Rock of Chickamauga" which Longstreet's vet-
erans could not split. The last I saw of General Rosecrans he was
riding the line, endeavoring to get a new position which he could
hold, but, seeing the futility of such a course, he hurried to Chat-
tanooga and, gathering what men he could, fortified it so that it
was impregnable to Bragg's assaults.

I have no idea what became of the escort when the break oc-
curred. They were nearly all ofT on some duty, and I had not
yet left Major Seys, but hung on to him with the feeling that he

At Headquarters During the Battle of Chiekamauga. 247

would be my salvation. I just discovered that my horse had cast
a shoe, and I tried to calculate how many more miles were in her
before she became too lame to go farther, when all around us it
was, as some one expressed it, "Hell let loose." The "rebel yell"
predominated, which sent the cold chills down one's back, es-
pecially when under a cloud, as we were just at present.

The infantrymen straggled along, and when told to stop and
fight, said: "It's no use, Mister; they're too many for us." It
seemed to me that if someone could exercise the proper author-
ity and in a commanding way that these men could be gathered
together and formed into line, but none of the officers in our
party — and they w^ere all officers except myself — took it on them-
selves to do it, so I plucked up courage and turned to Major
Seys and said : "Major, why can't this straggling be stopped ?"
He looked at me and said : "Can you stop them ?" "I'll try," was
mv answ^er. He said : "Go ahead."

So far as my uniform was concerned it looked as well as that
of any officer. I wore one of those gay jackets that were first
issued to us, trimmed with orange braid, dark blue trousers and
those high-topped "Dickerman" boots, which were better and
finer than many of our Major-Generals had, and over all I had a
cavalry cape lined with yellow. These are trifles, but if I was
going to act an officer's part I knew I could do it better if I looked
like one. We were part way up the crest of Missionary Ridge
now, when I drew my saber and shouted to a group of men going
to the rear : "Halt ! fall in !" A tall Sergeant, carrying the
colors of his regiment, was the first man to respond, and I can
see his big blue eyes yet, with not a very cheerful look in them, as
he replied : "Halt ! it is," and then planted the colors in the
ground. I knew then it was all right. "Fall in on colors !" was
my next command, and they did it in good style, and when the
officers saw what my individual efforts were accomplishing, they
came to my aid and we succeeded in getting quite a command
together.

That was one of my proud moments — a private in the Ander-
son Cavalry commanding a good-sized regiment on the battle-
field of Chickamauga ! for I did not give up my position as Com-
mander until we were joined bv Col. Tom. Harrison with a
regiment of Wilder's mounted infantry. They came dashing up,

248 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

well mounted, and armed with Spencer rifles that fired seven
times before you had to load again. In the meantime the rebels
were close at hand, and with that fiendish yell of theirs hoped to
drive us off the field, but our men had grit and reinforced as we
were would do no more retreating. After a short tussle it was
our enemy who retreated.

We were not molested again during our ride to Rossville,
where I staved all night with Colonel Harrison's men and the next
day went into Chattanooga. My improvised command had scat-
tered bv this time.

EXPERIENCES OF A COURIER AT CHICKAMAUGA.

WILLIAM L. BRAXTON, COMPANY A, NEW YORK.

OUR Company was lined up a little to the left and the rear of
what was the General's headquarters at Widow Glenn's.
Messages were being dispatched, and our boys were flying
over all sections of the field of conflict. The writer was leaning
over the pommel of his saddle and endeavoring to ease his posi-
tion as well as that of his very strong and faithful horse, when a
Sergeant of the company galloped up and exclaimed: "Bratton.
we've just sent Branthover with a message to General Wood and
we sent him in the wrong direction. H-e was directed to the left
of the field and he should have gone to the right. We want you
to find him and bring him back. Now ride 'hell-to-split' after
him and be sure you get him."

On receiving these orders I immediately started my horse off
on a gallop, going nearly directly south of the position, but in a
direction pointed out by the Sergeant when he gave his orders.
Singular to say I passed very few troops, and in less than two
minutes found myself in a field apparently unploughed and
bordered with young sapplings and shrubbery, and with quite a
heavy woods in the background from the point I viewed it.
Looking around to see if I could discover any trace of mounted
men, I was much surprised to find myself in close proximity to a
butternut-clothed soldier who was so attentive to his business
as not to notice me, although I was within thirty feet of him.

I saw that he apparently was the extreme left skirmisher of a
company deployed by our foes, and I felt as though I would cer-
tainly soon be held up or shot. As I was on a dead "lope" and
continued on my course I passed numerous "Graybacks" and
butternut-clothed men, some of whom were escorting to the
rear a number of our troops who had been made prisoners. They
seemed full of enthusiasm and excitement, and possibly it was
good for me that they were, for they didn't take any notice of me,
which I have always accounted for by the fact that I wore a gray

249

250 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

felt hat. I soon reached the woods and found them full of soldiers,
and directed my horse where I saw they were not so numerous.
I gradually made a circle and came out of the woods in a short
time without a word being said to me by anyone.

The course I took brought me out at nearly the exact point
I had entered, and as I saw the enemy's skirmishers were de-
ployed, made a detour more to the left and came out apparently
on their extreme left of the regimental line, where I found a big
butternut soldier, with his gun held by both hands, so intently
interested in watching in front that I rode up within three or four
feet of him where I could reach over and let him feel the muzzle
of my Colt's revolver on his cheek. He was taken completely
by surprise, handed me his gun and exclaimed, "My God ! are we
surrounded?" I told him to run straight forward, which he did.
The skirmisher next to him on the right, discovering something
was wrong, banged away at me but did not hit me ; but the report
of the gun and the whir of the bullet were so decided and came
so near that the prisoner thought I must have shot at him, for
he turned around and said : "For God's sake ! don't shoot me in
cold blood." I told him to "run for his life as fast as he could
or he would be shot," and being a very lusty personage as well as
a long-legged, strapping big fellow, he made such good time that
my horse was on a pretty fast "lope" to keep up with him.

In a short time I came across several of our army atnbulances
with Surgeons attending to the wounded and dying, and I was
very glad to find that I was inside of our lines again. Knowing
the direction of headquarters I escorted mv prisoner to where our
company was in line of battle, awaiting orders, and turned him
over to the Provost Marshal, who was at headquarters. The pris-
oner turned out to be one of the Sixth Arkansas Confederate
regiment, and I was told he gave valuable information to our offi-
cers which, accompanied with my report of the break in the lines
where I rode through, led to the gap being filled up by some of
the troops. I did not "bring back" Branthover, and must con-
fess I felt very happy to find myself again with the boys, as I then
realized that I had run a great risk.

I camped with the boys that night near headquarters. In the
morning when I awoke I found that some discriminating judge
of horseflesh had substituted a very thin and skinny bay horse

Experiences of a Courier at Chickaiiiaiiga. 251

for my exceptionally good cavalry mount. This led to another
incident on the following day when our line was broken in the
center and a great number of our soldiers "skedaddled." I do
not know, of course, who took my horse, but it happened on the
night that Negley's division was removed from the extreme right
to the extreme left of our line of battle, and many stragglers be-
longing to different parts of the army passed through our camps.
I tried to console myself with the hope that the horse might be
serving someone who could make better use of him than I could.
I felt convinced that no matter how good a fellow the "confisca-
tor" might be he certainly would have received a token of my
regards in the shape of lead balls, for I was so mad that even the
blue uniform would not have saved the "good judge of horse-
flesh" had I ran across him. 'My horse had no U. S. mark on him,
and was an available animal if you wanted to make a good trade.
The thing called a horse which had been exchanged for mine
was a very w^eak animal, and I resolved to try and get another
one. There was only one way to do it and that w^as to get
immediately to the fighting front and watch my chances. I fol-
lowed up the line of heavy firing and soon found myself among
a thin line of our men who apparently had been suffering from a
heavy fire, for very many men were being carried to the rear.
The artillery fire as w^ell as the musketry was very regular, and the
damage it inflicted must have been great. I found, a short time
after I reached there, that the Confederate fire had apparently
been expended, for there was a lull in the noise and the "music"
that generally accompanies the bullet, the shell and the cannon
ball. I was obliged to dismount, for my horse stumbled, and
when I dismounted I found that he had been wounded in the leg
and he limped very badly. Our troops were being re-formed.
and I led my horse to the extreme left of one of our regiments.
when a heavy yell in front told us that the Confederate signal had
been given and a charge was being made. Our boys delivered
a very withering fire, apparently, for the Confederates retreated,
but again re-formed and charged in a heavier body. Our boys
had to give way and retreated to a slightly higher position on
the field and made a temporary stand. Evidently the Confed-
erates had been reinforced, for they came on in a much heavier
body. It was here that a streak of luck enabled me to get an-

252 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

other mount. A Confederate officer, who had been acting very
gallantly and was very conspicuous, mounted on a dappled gray
horse, was shot, and as he was leading his men at the time his
horse galloped right into our lines and came close to me. I
sprang forward and after a slight tussle led him to where I had
left my horse, and retreating to what I considered a fairly safe
place I changed saddles in quick order. I had mounted my
"find" when I was addressed by an officer who, with the aid of
a private of infantry, was assisting a wounded Major who asked
me if I would "carry the officer off the field." I said, "yes," but as
I had the lame horse saddled they placed the officer on it and he
rode away into the woods, being led by the private soldier. The
officer who had assisted the wounded one returned apparently to
his command. I stood there bewildered, not knowing which way
to go, when I found that our troops were flying from the field in a
panic and were seeking the shelter of the woods. It was here that
I saw one of our regiment who endeavored to rally a number of
the fleeing troops actually gather some 200 of them in such a
way as to have some order in them for a time, and they delivered
several volleys. He seized the colors of one of the regiments
and rode up and down in front of them. I always thought it
was one of the best things I saw any of our Regiment do, and I
also thought I recognized the party who did it, and believe it
was no other than Arthur Carrier. In the excitement among
the panic-stricken soldiers they must have seen that it would be
useless with the great number of soldiers before them to do any-
thing practical unless they were protected by the woods, which
were several hundred feet back of their position. I recollect see-
ing the soldier, who I think was Arthur Carrier, giving some
orders and acting as if he were an officer, but he had given the
flag back to the color bearer or made someone act as color
bearer. What position this party of soldiers got in the woods
I do not know, for when I reached the woods I found one of the
most gallant little soldiers that ever straddled a horse riding up
and down in front of the woods on a gray animal, very conspicu-
ously, giving orders to men who were behind the first line of
trees, and who belonged, I found out later, to Wilder's Hatchet
Brigade. I saw the officer and rode up to him, greeted him in a
most cordial way, for I recognized in him a schoolmate, George

Experiences of a Courier at Chickamaiiga. 253

B. Thatcher, and his regiment was the Ninety-eighth Ilhnois.
He informed me that he was "an Adjutant of Wilder's regiment."
I told him that I "belonged to Rosecrans' headquarters" and
asked him in what direction it was. He told me that Rosecrans
and all his headquarters had gone to Chattanooga. While we
were talking the rebels made another charge, but the Hatchet
Brigade had Spencer rifles and all the Confederate efforts on the
first charge were futile. I turned my horse in the direction of
what I supposed to be Chattanooga, but found that I had gone
to the right in such a way that in a short time I was at Thomas'
headquarters. As I had taken many a dispatch to "Old Slow
Trot" I was not "backward in riding forward" and reporting per-
sonally to him what had occurred.

Asking his permission to stay with his troops I was told curtly
that my "duty was at my headquarters." By inquiry I soon found
the road that led to Chattanooga, and late in the afternoon found
our company encamped a short distance from where Rosecrans
had made his Chattanooga headquarters I greeted my mess-
mates with a spirit of thankfulness, for they had built a fire and
had plenty of hot water to make coffee, which, with hard-tack,
was most acceptable.

The Confederate horse I secured we named "Chickamauga,"
and he has frequently been referred to by George P. Franklin,
Sep. Knight, and others of my messmates, for he lasted me quite
a while. In Sequatchie Valley he did a great deal of courier duty
very acceptably. Frequently he accompanied some of the boys
on midnight tours looking up dainties in the shape of chickens,
geese, pone, hogs, etc., to replenish our stock of eatables.

The writer may add that in his career ar. a soldier he had quite
a number of horses. One large powerful dark-brown horse was
named by himself and messmates "Beautiful Dreamer." This
horse must have had a musical soul, for after the rider had been
to the North on a furlough and brought a new song of that name
to the regiment he taught it to the boys. We used to sing it while
going on different expeditions. This song being sung, fast or slow,
the horse kept time on the easy lope that he had, in perfect rhythm
to the tune, and as we altered the time purposely he would alter
his gait accordingly. His name, of course, occasioned comment
among the boys, but he was a good animal and did good service.

AMTH GENERAL GARFIELD AT CHICKAMAUGA.

SERG. T. J. MCCALL, COMPAXY K, PITTSBURG, PA.

ON September 9, 1863, General Rosecrans rode into Chatta-
nooga, the rebels having evacuated during the night pre-
vious, and we found our General Wagner in command.
On the morning of the nth "Old Rosey," as we called him, with
staff and accompanied by the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry,
Companies B, H and K being his escort, left Chattanooga for
McLemore's Cove, via Lookout Mountain. My memory is not
clear as to what happened between the time that w^e arrived at the
Cove and the 17th, on the afternoon of which we arrived at
Crawfish Springs.

I very distinctly remember that J. G. Henvis, during a short
halt, laid in a supply of green peanuts, which he pulled up in a
field. I suppose he lived on them when rations were scarce.

Headquarters were pitched about 125 yards below the spring,
on the northeast side of the stream, which at that point was from
200 to 300 feet wide and in places ten feet deep. The Fourteenth
Corps were pushing to the front and forming in line of battle, its
left near Reed's bridge.

On Friday, the i8th, there was occasional firing along the
picket line. In the afternoon I went with General Garfield, Chief
of Staff, to Lee & Gordon's mills, on the Chickamauga River.
While we were dismounted and the General was talking to General
Sheridan I was looking around to see what the place was like.
The rebel sharpshooters were annoying a battery that was posted
above the mill. Opposite there was a field about 500 yards
long and 300 yards wide. On the farther end and two sides
were thick woods, the ground being covered with underbrush so
dense that you could not see men in it. There was a pile of
rails about 100 yards from the end of the field next to the woods
and about centrally located from the sides. While standing there
I noticed a man run out of the woods to the rail pile, then another
254

With General Garfield at Chickamanga. 255

and another, until six or seven of them reached it, and then opened
up pretty Hvely on the battery. The Captain trained a gun on the
rails. The first shot went over; the next struck the pile fairly
in the center, the end being next to us. It threw the rails in every
direction and our boys cheered lustily. Out of the six or seven
men I only saw two run away. We mounted and rode down to the
Brotherton house and returned to headquarters, convinced that
we had a battle ahead of us. Those of us who are living to-day
will never forget that awful, bloody battle of Saturday.

Headquarters had been established at Widow Glenn's house
about 8 A.M. At about 9.30 a brisk skirmish fire began on our
extreme left, and ran clear down to our right, followed by a roar
of musketry along the whole line. The artillery fire was very
heavy on our left, but, owing to the ground being flat from the
center to the right, the artillery fire was not so heavy on that part
of the field. It continued without cessation until 6 p.m. and then
stopped suddenly, as though it was all over. But, oh, what a day !
We who carried dispatches on the field saw some of its terrible
effects. There were streams of wounded, some being carried back
and some in ambulances. The groans and cries of the poor fel-
lows touched our hearts, but we had our duty to perform, and rode
at a gallop wherever we were sent. The dead were left on the
field where they fell.

On Sunday morning a white frost covered the ground, every-
thing was white, the grass was stifif and we were all cold. Field
headquarters were moved from Widow Glenn's to the hill
south of and a little to the rear of the Dyer house, in front of a
thicket. A road had been cut through the thicket for artillery.
None of the saplings was over fifteen to eighteen feet high then.
On visiting that place in September of 1895 I found the trees
fifty feet or more high, and 'from one to one and a half feet
through. This was just thirty-two years after our first visit.

We dismounted and everything was as silent as the grave.
The sun came out warm and bright. There we waited, during
that awe-inspiring silence, for over an hour. We asked each
other, "Will the fight begin?" Someone said that General Rose-
crans would not begin the fight on Sunday. Our lines were in the
woods, where the undergrowth was very thick. Staff officers and
dispatch orderlies were the only ones who appeared to be moving.

256 Hisforv of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

The ammunition train was in a corn field just to the left and a
little to the front of the Dyer house. About 10.20 a.m., if my
memory is correct, the firing began at the left of the line — a light
volley — then a deafening roll of musketry came down the line like
a great ocean wave. It was like a hurricane. The cannon shots
sounded like thunder and the lines could be traced by the smoke.
A few minutes after the battle started you could see the wounded
coming to the rear. The hospital corps were busy. Thus it
continued until about 11 a.m., when Wood's division was with-
drawn to reinforce Thomas, and the men began to retreat. Just
then the ammunition train started to move to the rear. A battery
rushed out of the woods into the corn field, where a reserve force
of Van Cleve's division lay in front of the ammunition train,
throwing it into disorder. Then our whole line from there to the
right was forced into a rout, followed by the rebels.

General Rosecrans and staff, with orderlies, mounted. The
General sat a minute, looked over the field, then rode through the
gap. Colonel Palmer rode up to him and asked him if he should
charge with his Regiment. The General said, "No," and ordered
him to go to the left and rear with him. Ever after that my confi-
dence in Colonel Palmer as a brave and farseeing soldier was
unalterably fixed — I trusted his judgment. Had he had four regi-
ments that knew him as well as we did, and charged then, we
could have caused a panic among the enemy as bad as our men
were in then.

Being a dispatch orderly I was in the rear, and looking over the
field as far as I could see I felt that the rebels, in their anxiety
to catch our men, were so scattered that we could have ridden
them down before they could have formed a line. We went back
to the Glenn house just in time to meet McCook with Davis' and
Sheridan's divisions, utterly demoralized. They could not be
stopped. I saw the battery at the Glenn house captured, and our
guns were turned on us as we rode up the ridge to the rear. They
threw canister and shrapnel all around us, and the shells crashed
through the trees. General Rosecrans, after giving orders to the
officers, turned and rode down, obliquely to the left and front, into
Dry Valley and up to McFarland's Gap. There the wagons filled
the gap. About 100 yards below the gap a Johnnie had got so close
to where we passed that when he fired at us the wad of his gun

With General Garfield at Chickamauga. 257

burned the hair off the side of Alaj. Frank Bond's chestnut mare,
and she nearly threw him.

My horse stumbled and fell, throwing me on my head and
shoulders, but I got him up, and mounted. The rebels cheered
when he fell, but I had the laugh afterward.

We could not get to General Thomas by way of the ridge, as
the Johnnies got between us and that wing. We then crossed the
ridge, into Chattanooga Valley, and rode down opposite to Ross-
ville, and halted. After General Rosecrans and General Garfield
had talked matters over, General Garfield took two of us orderlies
and Captain Gaw, of General Thomas' staff, and went by way of
Rossville Gap to the Lafayette road. We tried to overtake Major-
General Granger with the reserve corps, he having left Rossville
to go to General Thomas' relief. We pressed on. Not noticing that
they had turned off the road at the Cloud house, we rode on down
the Lafayette road, and were going at a good lope when, within 200
yards of the rebel lines, which crossed the road at an angle near
the road leading to Reid's bridge, a rebel fired at us. We jumped
our horses up the bank and over the fence. Captain Gaw's horse
fell on the bank. The Captain thought the horse was shot, and
hopped over the fence and pretty nearly outran the horses. He
commanded me to give him my horse. I appealed to General Gar-
field, and he told me to let him have the horse and go and get the
Captain's horse, which had run back toward the Cloud house.
We were then inside Col. Dan. ]\IcCook's skirmish line.

I gave him my horse very reluctantly and struck across the field
into the woods. Near the Cloud house I met Chaplain Sanders,
of an Illinois regiment, mounted on the horse. I told him that I
was after that horse. At first he refused to give him up, but
finally, seeing that I was determined to take him, he asked me
it there was anything about the horse by which I could identify
him. I told him that there was a saber without a scabbard f-astened
to the pommel of the saddle. He at once dismounted. I then started
toward where the firing was very heavy, and rode through one of
the hottest places I was ever in for about 500 yards, to the rear
of our line. I kept on and rode right up to General Granger's
field headquarters, in a ravine, about forty yards in the rear of the
line of battle.

General Garfield and the other orderly were there, but Captain
17

258 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Gaw was not there. I went to General Garfield and asked about
the Captain. He told me that he had gone to General Thomas
and that he would be back soon. After waiting some time I went
up to General Garfield, where he was sitting on a log talking to
General Granger, and asked permission to go to General Thomas'
headquarters. I wanted my horse, as the Captain's was a plug and
mine a No. i. When over near the field headquarters of
General Thomas I met him, riding at his usual gate, a walk, and
only about seventy yards in the rear of our line. On the ridge the
air seemed to be full of bullets, but old "Pap" never noticed them.
Our line was then all heavily engaged, except Dan. McCook's
brigade, which had formed on our extreme left. General Thomas
held the line till after dark, and then the battery, just to the left
of General Granger's headquarters, fired the signal to fall back;
it was six shots, one-half minute apart. Then we fell back, and the
line fonned on Missionary Ridge.

The headquarters for the night was the old Ross house, at
Rossville. There I saw the Captain and got my horse back after
some trouble. On the 21st, with General Garfield and some others,
J went into Chattanooga.

THE BREAK AT CHICKAMAUGA AND THE
RIDE IT COST ME.

GENERAL WILMON W. BLACKMAR, FIRST SERGEANT, COMPANY K,
BOSTON, MASS.

I WAS First Sergeant of Company K, Fifteenth Pennsylvania
Cavalry, at that time, and we were on escort duty with Gen-
eral Rosecrans.

The battle of Chickamauga began in earnest Saturday morning,
September 19, 1863, and we more than held the enemy that day,
although the fighting was terrible and the slaughter on both sides
something awful. We took many prisoners that day. I make this
extract from my diary: "Saturday, September 19, 1863. The
ball is opened in earnest — cannon and musketry rattling like hail
against us. We are only holding our own. Many prisoners coming
in. A fine-looking young man from Springfield, Mass., a Captain
commanding a Texas regiment, was among the number. The
wounded are passing in squads. Musketry terrific. Old soldiers
say they never saw such a number of wounded in so short a time."

I remember perfectly how bitterly I felt toward this young
rebel Captain from Springfield, Mass. I told him he ought to be
ashamed of himself, because he had been born and educated in
Massachusetts, and hence knew better than to be fighting in such
a wicked cause as a rebel against his country.

The heavy fighting ceased about dark, both armies being terri-
bly worn and many regiments on both sides having been shattered
in the deadly conflict. We had almost no fighting during the
night, but both armies lay on their arms, in close contact. There
was an ominous silence in the morning, both giants making
changes and preparations for the death grapple which was soon
to begin.

About 9 A.M. Sunday, September 20th, the battle opened again,
and if possible more fiercely than on the day before. General
Longstreet with his fresh corps, right from the cars on which

259

26o History of the Fifteenth Peiiiisylz'aiiia Cavalry.

they had arrived from Lee's army to reinforce Bragg, succeeded
in breaking through our Hne of battle. Again I quote from my
diary : "Longstreet's men broke our hne, and then, oh, my God !
what a sight ! The General (Rosecrans) hated to move back. He
ordered us (the escort) to try to rally the retreating infantry. He
tried by personal daring to turn the tide as he did at Stone River,
but it was no use. He was right in a cloud of bullets."

General Rosecrans' Adjutant General, Colonel Goddard, called
to me, saying, "Sergeant Blackmar, which is the best horse in
the escort?" With all a cavalryman's pride in his horse, I an-
swered, "I am riding him, sir." "Well, pick out the two next
best horses. The General desires the three best mounted men in
the escort to ride for their lives and not spare their horses. Find
General Granger, in command of the reserves ; tell him what has
happened here, as you see it. It is the General's order that he
move up as rapidly as possible and cover our rear. General
Granger is off here somewhere," pointing to our left.

I knew I had already lost five good horses from my Company,
but I knew both men and horses perfectly, and calling to Sergs.
John Lingerfield and Chris. Miller to follow me, I dashed off in
the direction in which Adjutant-General Goddard had pointed.
After riding at breakneck speed several miles we came to an old
dirt road leading in the general direction we were trying to follow,
and after riding along on this a few miles farther we reached the
top of a small hill, where the road forked. One road led straight
ahead in the direction we were riding, the other led down the hill
considerably to our right. We pulled up for a moment, for con-
sultation, and decided that the road bearing to the right was prob-
ably the one leading to General Granger's position.

Just at that moment we saw quite a number of Johnnies step
into this road at the foot of the hill, but they did not notice us, as
their attention was directed to the fields in front of them, where
heavy firing could be heard. I said to my companions : "Miller,
you ride straight ahead, and if you find General Granger deliver
our message to him, as you heard it from Colonel Goddard. Lin-
gerfield, our duty is to ride down this other road. One of us must
get by those Johnnies and deliver our order to Granger."

We got off our panting horses, looked to straps, tightened our
girths, remounted and started quietly down the hill. I told Linger-

FIRST SEHGT. WILMON W. BLACKMAR

Promoted an Officer in the Army of the Potomac
National Cinimander Grand Army of the Republic in 1904

*

The Break at Chickainauga and the Ride it Cost Me. 261

field we would pretend to surrender, we would parley, we would
do almost anything except get off our horses, and when they
threatened to or began to shoot we must give our horses the spur
and one of us must ride through or over them. We rode toward
them slowly, to save our horses for the final dash, but what was
our astonishment and relief, when we reached them, to find that
they were citizens and negroes, dressed in gray and butternut,
following in the rear of the rebel army. We had actually ridden
round the left flank of the rebel army and were then in the rear
of it.

We asked the negroes where the Yankees were, and they told
us the situation and where we were. They said there were Yankee
troops up there — pointing in the direction in which I had sent
Sergeant Miller — and they showed us a short cut to the road
Miller had taken, so we lost no time in riding to find it.

We rode into General Thomas' lines before long, and found that
Sergeant Miller had delivered his message to General Granger,
who, hearing the heavy firing indicating the desperate fighting in
his front, had not waited for orders, but had pushed forward and
joined the "Rock of Chickamauga," in time to help him hold our
left.

I have always supposed that the order we bore from Rosecrans
to Granger was the last he gave on the battlefield of Chickamauga.

ORDERLY DUTY AT HEADQUARTERS DURING
BATTLE.

HOWARD A. BUZBY^ COMPANY E^ GERMANTOWN^ PA.

THE Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry is immortalized by a
large boulder, v^eighing in the neighborhood of twenty
tons, with an appropriate inscription and the figure of a
cavalryman mounted, with a dispatch in his belt. The Pennsyl-
vania Legislature appropriated the m.oney, and General Palmer,
Colonel Betts, John F. Conaway, John Tweedale, of the War De-
partment, and Judge Over, of Pittsburg — all of them "Andersons"
— saw that it was well done and set up on the exact spot where the
Regiment stood at the critical moment of the battle of Chicka-
mauga.

The ten days previous to the opening of that battle were very
anxious ones to everyone in the Army of the Cumberland, and
Colonel Palmer with his Regiment was intrusted with important
work. First, they were to find out where the enemy was, and
second, keep up communication with the different corps of
our army commanded by Generals Thomas, McCook and Critten-
den. To get General Bragg out of Chattanooga it was
necessary to distribute our army over a great deal of territory ;
so General Thomas crossed over Lookout Mountain fourteen
miles below Bragg, at Chattanooga, and McCook was thirty-five
miles still farther southward. This and the purpose of permitting
Longstreet's Corps from Lee's Army to effect a junction with him
caused him to retire from Chattanooga, and Crittenden marched
in and took the place. The Fifteenth had to carry all the messages
between these parts of our amiy, and when Rosecrans found that
he had to get his army together it was pretty hard work for us,
but we carried safely all the messages and the army was barely
concentrated in time.

The night before the battle several privates, of whom the writer
was one, were detailed from the Company for special service as
262

Orderly Duty at Headquarters During Battle. 263

orderlies. The duties were the same as those of a messenger in a
bank in times of peace. No command, no responsibiUty, but
merely to safely deliver the dispatches and orders that are given.
The opportunities for seeing and hearing were great. On account
of the excitement and roar of cannon, the rattle of the musketry, the
loud "hurrah" of our side, the yelling of the other, the anxiety and
the strain on the nervous system becomes intense. The rider must
not think. "We'll win" is all he must know. The first day every-
thing went well with us. Every charge was met and counter-
charges made, and some ground was gained, and when night closed
on the scene our General and army were sure we would be in
Dalton, Ga., in the early morning.

It was 3 o'clock the next morning when the General mounted
his horse, and with the staff officers, orderlies and couriers visited
the different parts of our line of battle. Lieut. Anthony Taylor
carried under his arm a big roll of maps, which were carefully
examined from time to time and compared with the field in front.
The infantrymen were all in line, and as "Old Rosey" was recog-
nized he was cheered to the echo, to which he replied with little
speeches "to hold fast, as reinforcements were coming." After
visiting all his Generals he rode back to a little eminence over-
looking the field. This was about a half mile from where his
headquarters, at Widow Glenn's, had been the day before. Soon
the booming of cannon over to our left, where General Thomas
was, told that they were at it again, and the firing gradually ex-
tended down toward our center. It was about 1 1 o'clock when it
seemed that all the furies had been let loose. Longstreet's Corps
had been massed, and just in front of where we were, charged
our lines. Our brave men, composed of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana
and other Western troops, did their best, but had to fall back.
General Rosecrans rode in among them, to encourage by his
presence and his words of cheer.

Colonel Palmer sent for our Regiment, and what was left of
those who were not away on some special duty were formed in line
by its commanding officer. The first battalion was under Capt.
Chas. M. Betts ; Capt. Adam Kramer had the second, and Capt.
Wagner the third. They were ordered to draw sabers. The writer
watched them closely. He was a Pennsylvanian and a Philadel-
phian, and so were they. He knew the stuff they were made of,

264 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

and in his simplicity thought the tide of battle would be turned.
The order ran down the line to encourage the infantry to stick to it,
as General Granger with 10,000 fresh men would soon be up.
Colonel Palmer, seeing all was hopeless, turned his attention to
saving the artillery and wagon train, a purpose he accomplished to
a great degree.

Colonel Palmer with the Fifteenth Pennsylvania, in good order,
crossed the field under a shower of shot and shell to a road run-
ning into Chattanooga, which was jammed for over a mile with
artillery and wagon trains, all in confusion. I do not mention the
fact of anyone getting hit, maybe because I was not hit myself,
but there were some hit in every kind of manner. ]Many thou-
sand were hit in an area of a few acres. One was hit close beside
the writer, and in the excitement hardly knew it till the blood went
streaming down his arm. My attention was called to him, but he
kept his horse. He must have suffered great pain, as he fairly
groaned at times. It was General St. Clair Morton, of the Engi-
neer Corps, and I did not know, what I have since learned, that
he was a resident of Germantown, Phila.

The Regiment crossed the road where the wagons and artillery
were blocked. The wounded General and the writer also crossed
it and went up into a woods, but had not gone 300 or 400 yards
before they came suddenh^ on General McCook and his staff.
General Morton was game. He wanted McCook to make a stand
right there and rally his corps, but McCook said it was no use.
While the Generals were talking together I was talking to Mc-
Cook's orderly. I asked him for the cause of the break, for an
orderly is the best authority. I was one myself. He told me they
had been fighting the Arm.y of Virginia and Bragg's army for two
days, and now had but two good regiments left out of their whole
corps of 15,000 men. This attack was made on our right, but
v.here General Thomas was, on the left of our army, they had
none of it. The rebels could not follow us and leave Thomas
there, and now they began to move up to clear him out. Many of
our broken brigades and divisions moved up that way to his aid.
and with these he held on to his position.

The round shot and shell flew over our heads, tearing oft' the
tree tops, when General McCook said, "On to Chattanooga !" and
"on" was the word. We took to the fields, keeping parallel with

Orderly Duty at Headquarters During Battle. 265

the road, and as we passed along I looked down on the road on
the artillery and wagons jammed there, and saw my own gallant
Regiment, with their sabers glistening in the sun, trying to keep
the teamsters on their mules, for they were being shelled to some
purpose. Now and then a wagon would be struck, and you could
see our fellows dismounting to throw it out of the way, to keep the
train in motion. They could be distinguished from all the rest
by their nobby caps, and the peculiar cut of their jackets made by
Rockhill & Wilson, of Philadelphia, but now in the last stages
of goneness.

We arrived at Chattanooga, and found that Rosecrans had got
there ahead of us. Anxious faces were those we looked into
around headquarters. General Morton, now looking very pale
and weak from the loss of blood, said, "Come with me !" and we
rode straight to the river. Every scow, boat and everything that
could carry a man he ordered to the other side. Returning to
headquarters, where a surgeon was waiting to dress his wounds,
he passed into a side room, and I saw him no more.

No man could have been interviewed more persistently than I
was. We had been the latest arrivals from the battlefield, and
everyone wanted to know what was going on there. General
Rosecrans and his staff and about one company from the Fif-
teenth came out of headquarters, mounted their horses and rode
directly over to the foot of Lookout Mountain. Riding through
the field around Chattanooga to a fort on a little ridge, a Fif-
teenth man was stationed about every half or quarter of a mile.
Wagons were scurrying out, loaded with picks and shovels, and
a part of Granger's Corps, which had been our reserve, had formed
a line along the line the General had laid out and picketed with our
men. The hundreds of stragglers who had lost their regiments
were stopped right here. Picks and shovels were put in their
hands, for they were about to do some "sewer work." The Gen-
eral rode back into Chattanooga. The writer did, too, and went
into the yard, took the bit out of his horse's mouth, stole some
oats out of a headquarters' wagon for him, and then lay down at
liis feet and in a minute was asleep.

I didn't even keep a diary, so I don't know if it was this night
or the next that I was awakened by a gentle shake on the shoulder,
and looking up saw a staff officer. We had seen each other often

266 History of the Fifteenth Peuiisylz'auia Cavalry.

during the last few days and something seemed to bind us to-
gether. "Saddle up and come with me," said he, and we were
soon riding through and out of Chattanooga. On the way he toid
me much that has since gone down in history. We were going on
a certain road. Thomas was falling back, and he was to await our
coming with instructions. A change had come over the face of
things. Since 1 had been out there, a few hours before, a dark
mound of earth had been thrown up, stretching from the foot of
Lookout Mountain all around Chattanooga. Men were still busy
throwing out the dirt, and a certain stillness reigned, most dis-
tressing. The sound of our voices as we went chatting along was
the most we heard. We passed the entrenchments out on a road
some three-quarters of a mile, when the officer suddenly halted,
saying, "This is the place." We dismounted and sat on the fence,
with bridle reins in hands, thinking of what had passed and what
was to come.

Soon that "thud" upon the earth familiar to the ears of men
awaiting the approach of troops was heard. "Here they come !"
and we both mounted. The officer challenged them. A mounted
orderly came forward with the countersign. The word "For-
ward !" rang out on the still night. The yellow martingales and the
trappings of a General's horse came into view, as did a large dark
figure with a slouch !hat and a blue mantle. It was General Thomas.
He and the staff officer had a conversation in an undertone, when
several officers were sent off with orders. General Thomas gave
directions how to place the divisions and brigades, right and left,
inside and back of the mounds of earth which made our entrench-
ments ; then with his staff he rode straight into Chattanooga.

The writer having been told he was at liberty to see the troops
file in, concluded he would. A clear voice rang out in the still-
ness of the night, "First brigade, second division, forward!" and
on they came, looking like spectres in the darkness. Then again,
"Column to the left!" and when the last of the first brigade was
inside the entrenchment and in position the word came sharp and
quick, "Halt !" and the thud of several thousand muskets was
heard upon the ground. In this way brigade after brigade filed
past until I got tired of looking at them, and feeling that nature
was giving out, rode toward headquarters at a gallop and soon
arrived there.

Orderly Duty at Headquarters During Battle. 267

It was not yet daylight, but Generals and staff officers were
coming and going. Determined faces were seen on every side, and
as I rode into the yard some of my acquaintances in the Fifteenth
cried out, "Where have you been?" I told them that Thomas and
his Corps were safe inside the entrenchments. "We'll win ! we'll
win !" they cried, and we did. Tying my horse to the nearest
hitch, I lifted the saddle from his poor, tired back and took the
bit from his mouth — he had done his work for the last three
days without the saddle being removed. Although having
seen the wreck of our right wing, the falling back of our left
under General Thomas, worn out with the excitement of the last
three days I spread my blanket on mother earth, and with faith
in the Army of the Cumberland was soon asleep.

A WILD RIDE BY A COURIER AT CHICKAMAUGA.

CHAS. M. BROUGH, COMPANY A, OGDEN, UTAH.

IT was not often that "soft things" fell to my lot during my
service in the various campaigns in which the Fifteenth Penn-
sylvania Volunteer Cavalry took a prominent part, but finally
one came that I specially liked.

I was assigned to courier duty at the headquarters of General
Rosecrans at Chattanooga, and- felt that here I might in some way
so distinguish myself as to deserve a promotion, but, alas ! it never
came. When the forward movement out of Chattanooga began,
resulting in the great battle of Chickamauga, I was among those
selected to carry messages from the Commanding General to the
various corps and division Commanders. When the engagement
was on in earnest and headquarters were established at the Widow
Glenn's house all of us were kept on the go with orders. All old
soldiers recognize the extra-hazardous nature of the duty.

Among the very last messages, if not the last, sent by the Com-
manding General on that eventful day at Chickamauga was that
carried by me. I had explicit instructions from "Old Rosey" him-
self to find Gen. Jefif. C. Davis, a division Commander in General
Crittenden's Corps, and to deliver to him personally the message
I was given and to lose no time, as it was of the very greatest
importance.

I knew that General Davis' division should be on the extreme
right of General Crittenden's Twenty-first Army Corps, so I set
out as fast as my faithful old sorrel would carry me. Amid fly-
ing niinie balls, grape and canister and other missiles poured in by
Longstreet's Virginians, who had arrived fresh from Lee's army,
I made my way to find General Davis. Before reaching my ob-
jective point I was informed that General Davis and his division
had been transferred during the night to the extreme left, so I
was obliged to retrace my way toward the place directed by one of
General Thomas' stafif.
268

A JVild Ride by a Courier at Chickaiiiaiiga. 269

In a little while I struck General \'an Cleve's Division, just in
time to see them break in the terrible onslaught made by Long-
street's fresh troops. The old General, with tears streaming down
his face, begged his men to stand, but it was not in the make-up of
human nature to withstand the awful charge of the boys in gray,
who outnumbered our boys two to one. Of course, the confusion
of retreat and rout, the cries of the wounded and groans of the
dying all tended to make a scene that was indelibly impressed upon
my memory.

As we were carried onward by the rush to the rear I learned
that General Davis with his division had, at daylight that morning,
returned to his old position and assumed his place on the extreme
right of our line of battle, so I wheeled about, and between our
lines of artillery in the background and our infantry now re-
formed in the front I made my way, at breakneck speed, to my
original destination. Speeding along I felt a minie tear the fore-
finger and knuckle of my bridle hand, and as I saw the blood
spurting from the wound, and heard the roar and thunder
of artillery and the rattle of musketry all around and about me,
I wondered whether General Davis would ever see the important
message I carried. A little farther along old sorrel stopped a
minie in his throat, cutting the throatlatch of his bridle, but miss-
ing by a thread only his windpipe. That made him mad, and he
just flew over the ground, bleeding like a stuck hog, his nostrils
distended and his eyes flashing fire. He didn't go any too fast for
me, and I was glad when at last I came in sight of a place which
but a few minutes before had been occupied by General Davis'
Division, but which his troops had abandoned, forced back by the
impetuous Longstreet and his splendid troops.

Just then Gen. Phil. Sheridan and his staff rode up, with his
grand division of veterans at his heels. They were already in line,
and as they went into the fray it, looked to me as though the
rebels could not possibly stand before that terrific fire, followed
up by a charge and a yell that always sends the blood coursing a
little faster through a soldier's veins ; but Longstreet, swinging on
a pivot, as it were, threw a division of fresh troops to the aid of
Bragg's regulars, and by virtue of overwhelming numbers forced
our boys back. This movement gradually and finally resulted in
a general rout.

2/0 History of the Fifteenth Pennsyhiania Cavalry.

As soon as I could decide what to do I rode up to General
Sheridan and informed him I had a dispatch for General Davis
and wanted to know where to find him. He replied, "I don't
know, my boy ; but it's too late. Let me see it." He tore it open
and read it, saying, "Too late! too late!"

His staff officers tried to rally the broken troops, and General
Sheridan himself grasped the flag from his standard bearer and
waving it, rode among them, begging his men to halt and re-form ;
but it availed nothing, and turning to everybody around him, said,
"It's time for all of us to get away from here."

Nothing that was human could stand before that hail of shot
and shell. I have often wondered how it was that anybody ever
escaped at all, and why it was that men didn't lose their senses in
the confusion and uproar of retreat and rout.

I followed General Sheridan and his stafif as they galloped after
the troops which had broken, and as soon as I got within sight of
headquarters, rejoined my comrades and told the story of how I
delivered General Davis' message to General Sheridan.

My hand and finger carried a bandage for several weeks, al-
though I reported for duty every day, and to this day a big scar
can be seen where the bullet tore the flesh away — a silent testi-
mony, to the truth of my story.

I never had anything, except my wife and children, that I loved
more than I did my old sorrel, and many and many a time I
"swiped" some delicacy for him denying myself. His throat
never got altogether well while we were companions in the ser-
vice.

Last winter, while spending a few months in Mississippi, I met
and became acquainted with Capt. Wm. Lewis, of the Mississippi
College Rifles, who was in the Chickamauga campaign as senior
Captain in command of the regiment that led the charge of
Longstreet's troops on the eventful day that Davis' and Sheridan's
Divisions were repulsed. He told me that while they captured our
positions and drove our boys helter-skelter from the field, yet they
suffered fearfully in killed and wounded, losing many of their
bravest officers and men, and were mighty glad when our troops
retreated first. He himself was badly wounded, and was laid up
for repairs for a period of six or eight months.

CHICKAMAUGA'S STRICKEN FIELD.

BY LIEUTENANT CHARLES S. HINCHMAN, PHILADELPHL\.

IT was in the afternoon of the first day's fight*at Chickamanga,
on September 19, 1.863, when General Rosecrans' headquarters
were at Widow Glenn's house, that a Captain of Confederate
infantry was captured and brought into our headquarters from
the fighting lines for examination, and on being questioned by Col.
W. J. Palmer, answered that his regiment was a part of Long-
street's Corps, and that all but Pickett's Division of the corps was
there, giving when asked, the names of several regimental, bri-
gade and division Commanders, when they left Virginia, time
occupied in cars in transit, and that they had just arrived (thus
solving our wonderment at the number of locomotive whistles we
had heard the preceding day and night, evidently bringing up re-
inforcements), and that as soon as unloaded they were given their
rations and ammunition and placed in position.

We had obtained the information that Longstreet was coming
a couple of days before the battle began, through a reconnaissance
of the enemy's front, made by Colonel Palmer and part of our
regiment, when several prisoners were captured, who being at once
questioned by the Colonel were found to belong to Longstreet's
command which was already arriving in our front, who said that
Longstreet and his corps had been sent to Bragg to help recapture
Chattanooga. We think this gave the first information to General
Rosecrans that induced him to hasten the closing up to the left
of our long expanded line, an expansion found necessary to draw
Bragg's army out of Chattanooga and enable us to take that highly
strategic point, which was never afterward retaken by the enemy.
The report was not then fully credited, but set down as possibly
the boastful talk of prisoners. Realizing the importance of this
Confederate Captain's confirming statement, Colonel Palmer im-
mediately reported it to General Rosecrans, who asked that the
Captain be brought to him. I remember well General Rosecrans'
examination and his effort to trip the Captain up by sharply

271

272 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

asking the names of the different Confederate Commanders in re-
verse order to those first given, and noted the flush in the Cap-
tain's face when he thought his word was doubted, and saw the
Hues of care deepen on our General's face as the doubt changed
into conviction that in addition to Bragg's army already rein-
forced by Maj. Gen'l W. H. T. Walker's Reserve Corps, mainly
from Mississippi, he was also facing General Longstreet with the
greater part of his fighting corps from the Army of Northern
Virginia. General Rosecrans, after dismissing the prisoner and
his guard, remarked that he "had the assurance of the authorities
at Washington that such movements of the Army of the Potomac
would be ordered in Virginia as would prevent Lee from detach-
ing any part of his army to help Bragg," and after a pause said
he "could not understand why this had not been done." One of the
prisoners of the lot taken with the Captain told us they had been
unloading all night close in rear of their line of battle, and held
in readiness to be put in where most needed.

It was a .severe blow to General Rosecrans to feel that he had
this added force to fight. He had been Longstreet's classmate
at West Point, and well knew his ability as a skilful and deter-
mined fighter, and evidently felt that Longstreet's Corps was
rushed through by rail from Virginia to make Bragg strong enough
to defeat us, when he (Rosecrans) had every reason to expect
such movements would have been made in Virginia as would have
kept Longstreet's Corps there.

The orders already given to the several Corps Commanders
of our army showed that concentration of our long thin strategic
line, from right to left, covering Chattanooga, was considered
necessary, and additonal orders were sent to hurry the closing up.

Sunday morning the last of General Negley's Division, which
had been ordered up from Crawfish Springs, passed Widow
Glenn's house, and without halting his marching troops, General
Negley had his pioneers and escort clear a way through the garden
fence to General Rosecrans' headquarters to ask for latest orders.
Just then the sun, which had risen over the tree-tops, shone through
the folds of his silk headquarter flag, as General Negley's stand-
ard bearer uncased and shook it out. It seemed to us like a glori-
ous omen of success. General Negley, superbly mounted,
checked his horse close to General Rosecrans, and saluting asked,

Chickaniauga's Stricken , Field. 273

'"Any further orders, General?" Rosecrans impetuously strode
toward Negley, saying rapidly: "General, I shall expect a good
account from you today,'' to which Negley replied, "You shall
have it. General," and saluting, with the single command, "for-
ward!" joined his marching command until it was placed in posi-
tion whence the continuous roar of musketry fire from both lines
of battle and the sound of shrieking and exploding shells overhead
showed all that the battle was again on in earnest.

During the cold night between the two days' battle, while the
respective lines lay on their arms, Colonel Palmer courteously sug-
gested putting our blankets together, and endeavoring to get a
little needed rest, and yet to be ready for instant call by making
our bed at the foot of a tree nearby the headquarter house, whilst
General Rosecrans, in his old army overcoat with some hardtack
in his pockets and a soldier's canteen full of cold tea, strung over
his shoulder, paced back and forth alongside of and between our
blankets and the house where some of his staff rested. The night
being cold and frosty and the responsibility great, he kept awake'
and alert for news from all parts of the army, munching hardtack
and taking an occasional drink of cold tea as he walked.

Before noon of the second day's fight headquarters were moved
to Dyer's Hill, about a mile toward the left from Widow Glenn's,
and v/hile there a gap was made in our line of battle by the
movement of General Wood's Division out of line, whilst a charg-
ing column of the enemy was in motion from the rebel lines to en-
deavor to pierce our ranks ; this gap enabled them to push through
our line of battle and overwhelm our troops at that point ; they
became panic-stricken on being fired on in flank and rear. All
previous orders had been written in the headquarters' order book,
and sent by our couriers and orderlies, but as the men came run-
ning back toward the hill on which headquarters then stood, Gen-
. eral Rosecrans' Chief of Staff asked Colonel Palmer to give him a
well-mounted officer, and on Colonel Palmer calling me, the verbal
order was given to find General McCook and tell him that the
General commanding desired him to throw his whole corps into
this gap "in column of divisions doubled on the center." It took
but a moment to swing into the saddle of my gallant little grav,
and to put her on a dead run to where General McCook was sup-
posed to be between Widow Glenn's and Crawfish Springs. En

18

274 History of the Fifteenth Pennsyh-ania Cavalry.

route and near Widow Glenn's house I found General McCook's
Chief of Staff and gave him the order, and emphasized the need
for haste in execution. He said he was already doing all he could
to close up, and would do all he could to carry out General Rose-
crans' orders. Upon asking him where General McCook could
be found, as I wanted to give him also the order in person, this
staff officer replied "God only knows ; I don't," but thought "the
General might be found between there and Crawfish Springs."
Continuing down the Crawfish Springs road, I left it only when
satisfied, by soldiers I met, that General McCook was not there.
My mare being then pretty well winded, I took a slower gait
returning to give her needed rest, and on nearing the Widow
Glen's house the sound of distant firing from Thomas' front and
a rather ominous stillness around was noticeable, and the troops
and retreating men I saw on my way down had disappeared,
although signs of heavy shelling were still all around the house,
in dismounted guns and caissons, and dead horses and men, and the
house knocked to pieces. Surprised in not finding any of our
troops in sight, I rode up onto 'the top of one of the eastern side
spurs of Missionary Ridge to take observations, but seeing nothing
visible on either side I then turned to make a short cut through the
woods toward the road leading to Bloody Pond and to Dyer's
whence I had started, and just before I reached it, I found myself
so close in front of a marching column of "Confederates feeling
their way" that the whites of their eyes could be plainly seen.
Their officer's call of "Surrender! we've gO't you," I heard dis-
tinctly as soon as I saw them, and realized that I had ridden into
them between their flanking skirmishers who began a cross-fire
immediately. It must have looked to them like a sure capture ;
but not relishing the invitation to surrender, I swung my little
gray around and put both spurs in and dashed up the hill,

hearing plainly their cries of "Halt, you Yankee

, we'll kill you!" accentuated by the ping of their

rifle-balls as they whizzed by, and the thuds as they struck
the ground and raised small pufifs of dust where they struck
around and under my mare's feet. I knew I was taking des-
perate chances, and have never understood why they did
not kill my mare and self, both making an easy mark, un-
less, feeling oversure of capturing us, they did not aim carefully

Chickajiiauga's Stricken Field. 275

and wanted to get the mare for themselves. Reaching- a point
where the brown-leaved bushes and trees gave us some cover, I
made over the ridge, and soon found, just before dark, on a wood
road leading to the Dry Valley road, General Wilder's mounted
infantry brigade, and riding up to him I offered to guide him and
his men across or around the ridge, in order to get in rear of the
rebel force from which I had just escaped, so that he could bag
and take them in with his brigade. His reply to this off"er
and as to where headquarters or General Rosecrans could be
found, as near as I can remember was, "Young man, we've had
enough of it for to-day. I am going to take my command into
Chattanooga if I can, and would advise you to try to get there,"
which was acted -upon until I found some of our own command
near Rossville.

A few years after, meeting one of the Confederate Generals
who fought at Chickamauga (or Dead Man's River, as its Indian
name so appropriately signifies), he was asked why they did not
follow up their advantage and attempt to drive us into the Ten-
nessee River on the evening of that memorable day, and he re-
plied "We wanted to bad enough, but were so near used up we
could not."

HOW TWO OF US GOT LOST AFTER CHICKAMAUGA.

ENOCH \V. MARPLE, COMPANY E, WILKES-BARRE, PA.

SOME time during the morning of September 20. 1863, while
Company E was near headquarters during the battle of
Chickamauga, we were ordered to take the bits out of the
mouths of our horses and feed them some corn on the cob which
we had carried with us. Before the horses had time to eat more
than two or three mouthfuls our infantry lines were broken, and
the company was at once sent to assist the balance of the Regiment
in the effort to stop the retreat.

Company E was placed on the right of the line and Gabe Mc-
Cahan and myself on the extreme left, McCahan being the last
man on the line. After staying in this position for a long time —
everything in our neighborhood becoming very quiet, no strag-
glers and not a soul in sight — McCahan suggested that I go up
the hill which was between my post and the next man to my left,
and ask how long we were to stay there. I did so, and much to my
surprise found no one there, the Regiment evidently having been
called in and the man over the top of the hill neglecting to pass the
word to us. How long we had been there alone we never found out.

We were in a quandary, as we could not find anyone who knew
anything about the whereabouts of the Regiment. We wandered
over to the main road, and there saw the never-to-be-forgotten
sight of the demoralized and scattered portion of the army in
retreat. It was an awful sight, which the writer is entirely unable
to adequately describe. The road and adjoining woods and fields
were crowded with baggage and ammunition wagons, with and
without drivers. Some were stuck in the woods, with their mules
still hitched to them. There were parts of batteries of artillery.
One had two horses, one gun and a few men, which they said
was all they had left. We saw all kinds of stragglers, any number
of wounded men and horses, and, in fact, every part of the army
seemed to be represented. We met about twenty mounted men
who were lost. We held a sort of council of war, and finally
276

Hozv Tzvo of Us Got Lost .-Ifter Chickaiiiaiiga. 277

decided to go down the road toward the battlefield and see what
was there. We went only about half a mile, when we ran into and
were fired on by rebel cavalry pickets or an advance guard just
around a turn in the road. Of course we fell back rather hastily,
and so did everything that could move along the road, as far as we
could see. There was no stopping to ask what was the matter,
but at the first shot the whole business got about as lively amove on
as possible. Some more teams got stuck in the woods, their drivers
leaving them and going with the crowd. This lasted for a few
minutes, when everything quieted down again, and McCahan and
myself started toward Chattanooga to try and find our Regiment.

We made a number of very close escapes from being captured.
One time, hearing firing, we went to the top of a hill in the woods
and saw some rebel cavalry capture a small w^agon train on the
other side of the hill. Another time we were going down a road
to see some cavalry in the woods, thinking it might be our Regi-
ment, when we were informed by a native that they were rebels,
and he kindly took us out through the back of his lot into the
woods. We finally landed, about dark, in a log house which the
family had left. We were so tired that we unsaddled and stayed
there all night, regardless of the prospect of being picked up
before morning, thinking our chances were no worse there than
to be wandering around in the dark. In the morning the family
returned, and treated us so well that we would like to have stayed
longer until a party came and told us the rebels were half a mile
down the road, and coming our way, so we had to light out.

AVe wandered around all that day looking for the Regiment,
chasing up a lot of clues, and finally reached Chattanooga some
time after dark without further incident, except seeing several
regiments made up of stragglers from different commands.
Finally we went into a yard, where we unsaddled and went to
sleep on the ground.

Early the next morning hearing the familiar bugle call right
over the hill from wdiere we were, we at once saddled up and fol-
lowed the sound, found the Regiment and were about to be put
under arrest for straggling by Sergeant Burton when our explana-
tion made the matter all right, and we were excused.

This was certainly a unique experience, but I hardly think it
was appreciated at the time.

BRIXGIXG IN THE CHICKAMAUGA WOUXDED.

L. R. METZGAR, COMPANY B, SANTA ANA, CAL.

I HAD the honor of serving as one of the orderlies for General
Rosecrans and General Garfield, his Chief of Staff, on special
duty at headquarters, during and after the battle of Chicka-
mauga. I was present on Saturday of the battle, when headquar-
ters were on a big fallen tree at Crawfish Springs. I saw the first
two prisoners brought in. They belonged to Longstreet's Corps,
and thus showed that he had reinforced Bragg. These prisoners
acknowledged themselves as Longstreet's men, and were full of
swagger and braggadocio, saying that their corps was here and
that they would surely "give you hell to-morrow." I regret to
say that their threat was literally made good. It seemed to me
that right there General Rosecrans lost heart as well as confidence
in his ability to achieve victory in the then raging contest.

The next day, that memorable Sunday, our army was falling-
back on Chattanooga, except General Thomas, the "Rock of
Chickamauga,'' Avho, after his gallant and heroic stand, followed
later. The Army of the Cumberland, scarcely recognizing
defeat, entrenched itself at Chattanooga, leaving almost all its
wounded lying, mingled with the dead, on the bloody field and in
the hands of the enemy. Arrangements were made to bring in our
wounded, that they might have such care and attention as was
impossible to get from the Confederates, however willing.

I was one of the three detailed to superintend this duty. We
three took position at 7 a.m. between the lines of the outpost
pickets of both armies, under the protection of a flag of truce.
In our rear were over 600 vehicles, of all varieties, hastily gath-
ered up for the occasion — poor conveyances, indeed, to carry noble,
wounded and dying heroes, but the best we could get. The pickets
on both sides, recognizing the "white flag." kindly abstained from
shooting at each other in our immediate vicinity. The drivers of
our vehicles turned them over to those of the Confederates who
278

Bringing in the Chickamauga Wounded. 279

received them, and in due time they returned them laden with our
wounded, dying and some who died "in transit," promiscuously
piled in, under and over each other, as best it could be done in the
necessary haste.

All day and night long and until noon next day, in a cold,
drizzling fall rain, the anxious, dismal, heartrending work went
on. We three, without a fire to make even a little black cofifee,
kept our saddles, munched our hard-tack from our haversacks and
drank water from our canteens, occasionally indulging from a
smaller one filled with apple-jack tainted with quinine, to ward
oft" chills and fever.

This duty done, and back again in Chattanooga, I once more
rode with our loved "Rosey," who, mounted on that superb
speckled charger "Blue John," paced a gait that kept an orderly
on a gallop, as he visited the entire line of hastily built breast-
works. He spoke to and encouraged "the men behind the guns" —
men who, on two crackers and one ear of corn per day, were
expected to hurl back the pursuing and eager enemy or die in the
trenches. "Be cool ! men. Wait until you see the whites of their
eyes, shoot low and make every shot count " were the General's
orders, responded to with deafening cheers. How well these
orders were obeyed is a part of our country's history. Such were
some of the incidents of our soldier life and the work of our gal-
lant Regiment, whose toil and duties were most varied, arduous
and responsible.

OUR TEAMSTERS.

JAMES M. WILEY, COMPANY M, ELMWOOD, ILL.

ONCE there was a rather vain but skillful organist in a
church, who boasted, to the man who pumped the air in the
organ, of how the congregation had waited after being dis-
missed just to hear him play. To this the pum.per did not
agree, as he said he had as much to do with holding them as the
other had, but the organist dismissed such a suggestion with just
contempt. At the next service in the church both occupied their
usual positions. The organist began by pulling out the necessary
stops, and then delicately pressed the keys, but no sweet notes re-
sponded. "Blow up ! blow up !" he called, in a loud whisper, and
just then the man who pumped the air came around the corner of
the organ and inquired, "Say, is it I or we who's doing this?"
That's the teamster's case. We did the hard work of the army,
but the other fellows got all the praise. If it had not been for
what we did to feed them and keep up supplies of ammunition, no
battles would have been fought. We did lots of things which
should have entitled us to medals, but instead of getting them
most of those who write on the grand tactics of war blame us for
some of their own shortcomings ; nor were we ever in a position
that we could talk through an official report coming from us.

I was not always a teamster. Up to August, 1863, I served
with my Company and tried to do my duty, and it may be on this
account that Lieut. Harry Weand, of my company, when we were
at Stevenson, Ala., detailed me temporarily, as he told me, to act
until he could get someone else to take it, but he never found
the other fellow, and I took charge of Company M team. Soon
after the army moved, and my first day's march was over the pon-
toon bridge across the Tennessee River, and the way the bridge
swayed and shook under me as I crossed it sent my heart up near
my mouth, and it was some time after we got on solid earth before
I was all right again.
280

Our Teamsters. 281

We stopped at Nickajack Cave for a day or two, and then got
on the move again and tried to cross Sand Mountain, but got
blocked up with the trains and had to stay on the mountain all
night, away from the Regiment. We did not mind this part at all.
It was the boys in camp who were put out, for we carried the
provisions and those little things they needed most ; and I acknowl-
edge it, now that the war is over, that we teamsters never suffered
from a shortage of rations so long as any were carried in the
wagons, and if w6 did have some hard and dirty work, we helped
ourselves liberally to the crackers, pork, sugar and coffee we car-
ried. We always made room in our wagons to carry skillets, coffee
pots and any other cooking utensils we wanted, while the majority
of the boys on the march only had a cup to cook coffee in, and to
toast pork had to hold it on a stick over the fire. Yet with all these
inducements we never had a rush, in our Regiment, of those who
wanted to drive a team.

Just at this time the Regiment was better supplied with teams
than it was at any period of its service, and I don't think it could
have been excelled by that of any regimental train in the whole
Army of the Cumberland. This was due to our most capable and
efficient wagon master, Sam Black, who was a rough customer,
with an extra-good knowledge of what was required in wagoning,
and a most excellent horse thief. In the society in which we then
lived this was an accomplishment ; the only disgrace was in being
caught, and Black could show off his stock and tell how the best
of them had been culled from other trains, and was proud of his
achievements.

Black was especially good in handling a train on the march,
when from five to ten miles were covered by the trains of the army.
It was the post of honor to be near the advance, as that meant
getting into camp in good season and more time to rest. The
wagons belonging to Rosecrans' headquarters had the right of
v/ay, and the others had to move aside and let them pass ahead.
In the Chattanooga campaign Black did a good deal of bluffing
the wagon masters ahead of us by claiming that ours was part of
the headquarters' train, and in most cases he won.

The day we got into Chattanooga we had a very hard march.
We left camp at Trenton, Ga., about 3 a.m., and went about 100
yards, and then waited for an hour or two before we started again.

282 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

It was a pretty steady pull all the rest of the day. About dusk we
got to Lookout Mountain, and with the usual amount of trouble
got across it about 10 o'clock at night. Instead of turning to the
left and going into Chattanooga, we turned to the right and went
down the valley a couple of miles and went into camp. About
an hour after we were quietly wakened up and told to get out and
to make no noise about it, as we were close to a large rebel force.
But we were not molested, and some time in the early morning
hours we stopped behind our troops in Chattanooga, tired out, but
safe.

It was on this day's march that our Quartermaster, Lieut. Geo.
S. Fobes, took his first lesson in swearing. He was a good, kind
man, respected by all and loved by many. He was always ready
to assist those in distress, but his good nature and the qualities of
the mules did not assimilate, and neither of them appreciated the
other. He was with the train as usual, and some time during the
march some kind of a muss was kicked up in one of the teams,
which Fobes, being near at hand, had helped to straighten out.
Mules are perverse animals, and do many things for fun which we
look on seriously as a grievous fault, and so the more that Fobes
tried, the worse the tangle was with the mules and their harness.
At last he lost his temper and showed it. Sam Black, who was
nearby, said to him, soothingly, "Don't swear. Quartermaster,"
v/ho instantly retorted, "They make me so mad, I will swear.
Consarn the mules !"

At the time of the battle of Chickamauga our wagon train had
a very nice camp at Crawfish Spring, but we were routed out of it
by some officers, who yelled to us to get out, as the rebels were
coming. Then we went back to Chattanooga, and had hardly got
our teams unhitched when Sheridan's Division of infantry came
through our camp and began to dig up the ground and build en-
trenchments. They did not tell us to get out, but simply and
good-naturedly went ahead with the work they had to do, and to
get the peace and quiet that mule teams crave we had to go some-
where else. After this corn for animals got very scarce and neces-
sitated our crossing the Tennessee River, on a shaky bridge, to
get at the big fields of it on the other side. The first place we
went to was down the river, toward Moccasin Point, where we
found splendid corn, but had hardly got to work filling our wagons

Our Teamsters. 283

when the rebels opened fire on us from across the river and made
it so hot that we had to hght out. After that we gathered the
crops in the Tennessee Valley, but in a week or two had eaten
up everything within fifteen miles of Chattanooga.

Captain Clark's Company E, being out on a hunt for forage
and finding it scarce in our valley, crossed over Waldon's Ridge
into Sequatchie Valley, and found it so rich in everything that was
needed by our army in Chattanooga that other trains were sent
there for supplies. Captain McAllister took the second one and
my team went along. We crossed the ridge on the road that came
down at Poe's tavern — that was the name only, for the tavern
didn't have a bar, and no liquor was on hand — and afterward a long,
hard pull up the mountain, and then ten miles across it to where
the descent took us into Sequatchie. We got there late in the
afternoon and went into camp. We heard that the rebels were
farther up the valley, and a darkey who spent the night with us
said General Wheeler wasn't far aw^ay. We were having plenty to
eat, and as the officers in command didn't seem to be w^orried
about it, we couldn't see any cause to be, and turned in and got a
good night's rest.

The next morning the rebels came down on us in such a hurry
that several of the teamsters were captured. They were the fel-
lows who take a little longer to do anything than the others, for
the two minutes' notice we had was sufficient for most of us.
When it was seen the rebels were coming, Sam Black yelled to us
"to get out the best we could." I had time to unhitch my saddle
mule, jump on him and get away. Sam Black got caught, too.
His horse was saddled and bridled, but was hitched to a post with
one of our lariat ropes, about twenty feet long. Sam forgot to
unhitch, and when he jumped on and started off at a run he only
got twenty feet away, when his horse went heels over head, and
before Sam could get up from the ground he was a prisoner. I
kept on down the valley to Anderson's crossroads, where a road
led up over Waldon's Ridge, and where there was a large supply
train of several hundred wagons filled with provisions that our
boys needed badly over in Chattanooga. The drivers would not
believe Wheeler was in the valley, and before I got half way up the
mountain I could see the rebels capturing and burning the wagons.
Thev made short work of it.

284 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Soon after this our regiment came into Sequatchie valley, and
except those who went up to East Tennessee, in December, stayed
there until the following spring. We soon got other teams from the
ammunition train, and had several months of very hard work, as
we had to haul supplies to the camp from Bridgeport, Ala. We
were also kept hauling corn over to the army in Chattanooga.
After the fall rains set in the roads were in a fearful condition,
which was very destructive to mules and wagons. Before we were
through with this work I believe there were enough dead mules
and broken wagons which, if placed end to end, would have
reached from Bridgeport to Chattanooga, over sixty miles.

I have a very vivid recollection of one trip we made to Bridge-
port for supplies. There were only four teams and we had a
guard of ten men, under Lieutenant Logan. We got our supplies
and had crossed Battle Creek, near Jasper, when we broke an
axletree. We were in a fix, and had to stop at an old barn for the
night. Snow was on the ground. General Steadman's troops
were near and so also was his wagon train, and we concluded to
borrow one of his axles without asking, as we were afraid he
would refuse, and we felt that we must have it. We did it that
night,, and after we got it in place and were on our way again
thought it was a good joke we had played on them. But we forgot
our tracks, and soon a Corporal and six men came and arrested us
and took us to Steadman's headquarters. The only excuse Lieu-
tenant Logan could make to the General for the theft was that we
had broken down, and that he borrowed it just for a little while
and intended returning it on our next tri-p. This did not suit the
General, who said "he .would teach us not to borrow in that way,"
and had us all in the guardhouse overnight. The next morning
he sent for our Lieutenant, and told him that if he would sur-
render the ones who did the stealing the others could go, and when
we heard this two of the boys volunteered to bear the blame and
•the rest of us were turned loose. We patched up our broken axle
and started again. We were soon joined by our "two thieves,"
who I believe had nothing to do with it. They told us that
General Steadman had told them to "go and sin no more."

When the Regiment went up into East Tennessee, the next fall,
the trains were left at Calhoun, Ga., but soon General Hood swung
around from Atlanta, and we were moved back to Resaca and

Our Teamsters. 285

went into camp on the bank of the river. The rebels had followed
us up and began shelling us, and we had to get out, and moved
back to the railroad bridge. We thought it a safe place until
they began to shell us again and knocked one of our wagons all
tc pieces. This was a good thing for the officers who were in
command of companies and w'ere accountable to the Government
for stores, for each one claimed his were on the wagon destroyed,
and they accounted for the loss in that way. I was told that there
was enough material claimed to have been lost in that one wagon
to have filled a half dozen.

Later on in the war the company team was dispensed with, and
to a great part the regimental train also. Their place was taken
by pack mules, and about the only thing carried was ammunition.
It was not correct to call the man who had charge of pack mules
a teamster, but I fail to see why they dubbed us "the Apostles,"
for that is what we were called bv the bovs.

COMPANY L ON LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN.

CORP. SMITH D. COZENS, COMPANY L, PHILADELPHIA.

IT was the night of September 19. 1863. The first day of that
awful conflict at Chickamauga or "Dead Man's River" had
passed into history — a bloody page. The contending armies,
mutually exhausted, sank down among the dead in those dark
forests to snatch a few hours' rest ere the sun should light them
again to the murderous work of battle.

Company L, under command of Lieut. Annesley N. Morton,
had moved out in the morning from Crawfish Spring with the
headquarters' train, and since 3 p.m. had been "standing to horse"
toward the extreme left, a little east of the Rossville road. We
could hear the crash and roar of the battle, the yell of the charge
and the cheer of the repulse, but we could see nothing of the
troops except the stragglers or the wounded soldiers seeking a
Surgeon. The ambulances rolled by constantly, filled with their
freight of human suffering. Toward evening Minty's splendid
brigade of horsemen trotted past, in the direction of Rossville, to
meet the enemy's cavalry in our rear.

Now that night had fallen and the fight had died away, the
result of the battle being doubtful, we began to grow exceedingly
restive. Only those who have experienced the feeling can know
the misery of inactivity on the field of battle. Our Commander
rode uneasily up and down in front of us. He evidently shared
our anxiety, and at the sound of rapid hoofs coming down the
road mounted the command in a twinkling. It was a courier
bringing orders for us to make all haste to Chattanooga. The
Lieutenant had the command ofif in a flash, and a wild and breath-
less ride ensued. The road was inches deep with dust, and a
trooper could hardly see the man before him. Occasionally, a
little breeze wafted the dust clouds away, showing a hazy moon
and along on our left the low, dark outline of Missionary Ridge,
overshadowed by the lofty range of Lookout. We overtook thou-
286

Company L on Lookout Mountain. 2?>y

sands of stragglers, many of them wounded, and picked our way
through miles of wagons, falling back on Chattanooga. We
passed Gen. Gordon Granger's and Gen. J. B. Steadman's troops
resting on their arms and ready to move into the fight the next
morning. We reached Chattanooga about midnight, utterly worn
out, for we had been unusually active on the courier line, and for
four days had not unsaddled. Men and beasts threw themselves
on the ground at the railroad depot and slept.

Sunday morning found us up at daybreak. We breakfasted on
the remains of our rations, issued three days before, and then drew
rations for the next two days. A very scant supply it was, too.
That memorable starving time which is so well known to those
who served in the Army of the Cumberland had commenced.

For the horses' feed we were compelled to cross the pontoons to
the other side of the Tennessee River, and rummage some miles
through a well-gleaned country before we could find a little fodder
for them.

Returning to the town Lieutenant Morton received orders to
take the company up on Lookout Mountain, scout the approaches
to the summit from the other side and guard the signal station, the
flag of which we could plainly see fluttering to and fro in the air.
It was highly important to retain such a splendid position as long
as possible, in view of the occupation of Chattanooga by our
forces and the consequent advance of Bragg's army. We had a
mile or so to go from where we started to reach the road that led
up the mountain, and as we rode quietly along the (foot of it, our
little guidon, fluttering in the breeze and borne by that gallant sol-
dier, Sergeant Vandling, Company L, never looked better. We
numbered about thirty-four men, all well armed and equipped,
though tired out by the hard service of the past few weeks. All
were in good condition except my old friend Charlie Bowyer, who
was a sick man and ought not to have been with us.

Shall I mention a few of the old boys as they fall under my eye
as we go along? There were Jimmy Gay, Jack Strebig, Dan
Scull, Horatio Oliver, Neddy Pohl, Jack Williams, Sam Jamison,
Warren Supplee, Davy Holmes, Al. Rihl, Bert Price, Ike White,
Harry Myers, Ned Engle, Joe Bontempts, Al. Hofjkins, Bobby
Hall, Geo. Shields, Joe Overholt. They were a goodly company.

We reached the road up the mountain about noon, dismounted.

288 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylzania Cavalry.

and leading our well-worn animals with our arms through the
bridles, commenced the ascent. Oh, that weary, panting, ex-
hausting ascent of Lookout Mountain ! — leading, almost dragging
our weak-legged horses, and sinking down in our tracks every ten
minutes to rest and gasp for breath. Not the magnificent view-
that stretched far aw^ay below us, nor the significant boom of
artillery that occasionally came up, nor the portentous clouds of
dust that hovered over Missionary Ridge, clearly indicating the
approach of the enemy, could rouse our senses from the lethargy
of fatigue. Mechanically we toiled onward and upward for sev-
eral hours, and when, near the close of the afternoon, we dragged
ourselves and our played-out horses to the upper level of the
mountain, the entire party sank, gasping and quivering, upon the
rocks.

After resting some time we recovered sufficiently to reach the
village of Summertown, at the highest peak of the mountain.
This was a handsome little place, a noted resort of the chivalry,
and contained an imm.ense hotel, in which we unceremoniously
bestowed ourselves. Evidences of hasty evacuation were visible
on all sides, but we found scattered through the big rooms almost
every comfort commonly kept in hotels. There were pianos, sofas,
chairs, bedsteads, beds, statuettes, books, crockery ware and cook-
ing utensils in abundance, but not a morsel of anything to eat.
The village was utterly deserted save by two women and some
children, who peered from the windows in great alarm, but finding
that no attempt was made to molest them or to appropriate their
little store of cornmeal, they soon became friendly and communi-
cative. The signal officer with his corps of three men was sta-
tioned on a projecting rock, now familiarly known as Table Rock,
a little distance above the hotel, and the position afforded a visual
sweep that seemed to take in the whole South.

It had now grown dark, but there was no rest for the weary
cavalrymen, for the roads were to be picketed and forage must
be found. Leaving a small guard at the station, off we started
down the ridge. How longingly we looked back at the comfort-
able hotel, with its cheery fire and beds enough for the w^iole party,
while we groped our way in the pitchy darkness until we came to
the forks of the road, about seven miles from the station !

I quote my old friend Jack Williams' experience that night :

;KUUP of CO. ■L" ON LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN

Lieut. A. N. Morton

A. M. Prict

John P. Strebig-
C. P. Bechtel J. B. Kreider

Company L on Lookout Mountain. 289

"P"or the rest of the night we picketed the roads leading up from
east to south. It was my fate to be placed at the farthest outpost,
on the southern road, over a mile from the reserve. By this road
it was almost certain the enemy would make his approach —
whether that night or another was the only question. Oh, the inter-
minable length of those "wee sma' hours," when Rudolph Birn-
baum and I "stood to horse" just inside the thickets — cold, weary,
half-starved and half-asleep — awaiting the tardy dawn ! We ex-
pected every moment to hear the sound of hostile hoofs. It
seemed as if daylight would never come ; nor was it the least part
of our misery to see our poor brute companions gnawing the
bushes around them in the extremity of their hunger. When at
last the welcome sun gilded the tree tops above us and brought a
recall we returned, sore and famished, to our no less suffering
comrades,"

Poor Charlie Bowyer was so sick that night that he could not
ride. He had a raging fever, and the Lieutenant was compelled
to leave him at a house near the reserve post. Nobody was at
home but a woman and child, and they promised to take care of
him. But the enemy found him, and took him over to Missionary
Ridge, and he eventually found himself in Libby Prison.

We took up the march back to Summertown, which we reached
before noon. Something to eat for ourselves and horses was now
the question. We cut up all the beds in the hotel, which were
made of corn husks, and fed them to the horses. In searching
around we found a potato field which seemed to have been hastily
dug up, and after spending some time grubbing and digging, we
got enough "murphies" to furnish a couple of meals for the whole
company.

Going to the cliffs we found the army had fallen back during the
night, and was now occupying the hastily built works around
Chattanooga. It was probable, therefore, that the rebel cavalry
was already swarming around the mountain, cutting off our escape.
Starvation or captivity stared us in the face, but we looked upon
them with the stolidity of veterans. We thrummed the pianos, and
lounged on the sofas and beds, trusting to heaven and Rosecrans
for deliverance. Night closed the scene, pickets were put out
and the reserve kept at the house, and the balance of the party
went to sleep in and around the hotel.

19

290 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Tuesday, the 22d, dawned on us bright and clear, and the boys
were at the chffs as soon as they could see. It was our good for-
tune to witness scenes which as viewed by us have probably had
no parallel in this war, and which rendered us for a time oblivious
to danger and physical privation. From the overhanging cliffs
we beheld the country mapped out beneath us for fifty miles
around. As far as the eye could separate them appeared an agree-
able diversity of wooded ridge and open plain, bathed in the sun-
light, rich in the blended variety of early autumn tints, through
which from east to west the Tennessee River, like a thread of
silver, wound its crooked way. In the dim distance on every side
the hills and mountain spurs rolled away in purple billows to the
horizon. Far off in the southeast the air still looked heavy with
the smoke and dust of battle. Directly under our feet, as it ap-
peared, lay Chattanooga, encircled by yellow lines of earthworks
which extended unbroken from the mountain to the river, and
an inner circle of dark blue was still more apparent, from which
the bayonets and regimental colors gleamed in the sunlight.

In the rear of the line the plain and town was dotted with ui-
numerable "dog tents," looking at that distance like a cluster of
snowballs. Over the river were vast parks of wagons covering
many acres, but at our height apparently spread over a few square
yards. Still through the town and over the thread-like pontoons
crawled long lines of diminutive white wagons. Jack Williams
said they looked like "Queen Mab's chariots;" Joe Bontempts
said they looked like "toys." That was an absorbed group that
watched these scenes from Lookout Mountain. The signal officer
kept his eye glued to his glass, which was trained upon the ap-
proaches to Chattanooga, for he evidently expected the appearance
of the rebels. Every eye around him was on the watch, every
tongue silent. Soon the atmosphere beyond the Mission Ridge
grew hazy, and small clouds of dust rose slowly in the air.

The excitement of our party at this moment was intense ; the
stillness was so profound that the music of a band in Chattanooga
was distinctly heard. Suddenly the signal officer slapped his knee
and exclaimed quietly, "They are coming!" At the same time he
gave some orders to his flagmen, who, screened by a thicket from
the enemy's observation, waved their colors vigorously ; and sure
enough, when a puff of wind lifted the hazy veil, in the distance

Coinpajty L on Lookout Mountain. 291

there appeared small squads of horsemen, advancing cautiously,
on the Rossville and Dry Valley roads, while behind them other
distinct clouds arose, from which larger bodies of cavalry emerged.
Simultaneously, on another road farther south, leading over the
ridges beneath us, we were able to distinguish the flags of other
parties and the color of their horses. In a moment more little
puflFs of white smoke floating up from the roads and the trees,
followed by the faint rattle of carbines, told that the pickets of the
two armies had met again, and while we gazed, long, gray columns
of infantry and strings of artillery appeared upon the roads, barely
distinguishable from the clouds of dust which they created. One
gun was seen to move into an open field between the two main
columns of the enemy, and immediately thereafter a dull red flash
came from the shot, followed by the unmistakable crash of a
Napoleon gun. Instantly our guns replied, and for a little while
there was a beautiful artillery skirmish, every shot being plainly
visible to us. The rebel gun was the first to be silent, and we saw
it withdrawn.

All this while and for the balance of the day the rebel columns
continued to crawl over the hills, like a swarm of insects, settling
down into the fields or disappearing in the woods. As their lines
extended and developed ours, the skirmishing became sharper and
heavier, rising at times into the genuine roar of battle. Who of
the few that saw that sight can ever forget it ? We fully expected
to see a grand assault upon our works. If Bragg had any such
notion at 5 o'clock, at which time the skirmishing was heaviest,
his purpose was changed before nightfall.

Our whole thought and attention had been turned to this scene
most of the day, but toward the close of the afternoon an incident
occurred that occasioned us no little anxiety — our pickets dis-
covered someone coming up the mountain road by which we had
come. We lay on our stomachs on the cliffs, out of sight, our
horses bridled and saddled, tied to the trees behind us, ready to
be mounted in an instant. All hands watched the road, and far
down beneath us we saw a soldier, evidently leading his horse,
coming up toward us. As yet he was a long distance from the
top, but speculation and anxiety were rife among us, and the im-
pression was that it was a rebel straggler or the advance of the
rebel cavalry, which we expected every moment to appear in sight.

292 History of the Fifteenth Pe)uisylz'ania Cavalry.

But, no ! He came alone. Up he climbed over that weary road,
and when he was pretty well up the conclusion was reached that
it was one of our own command. For a little while we lost sight
of him, around a spur of the mountain, but at last he trotted in
among us showing the gay jacket of the Anderson cavalry.

It was my old friend Howard Buzby, of Company E, with a
dispatch from Colonel Palmer to- Lieutenant Morton, which Buzby
delivered, with the compliments of the Colonel. Buzby said : "The
Colonel always sent his compliments even when sending an order
to reduce an officer." The Lieutenant read the dispatch and then
communicated it to the boys. It was as follows ;

"To Lieutenant AIgrton, Commanding Company L,

"Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, on Lookout Alountain :
"The mountain will soon be occupied by the enemy, and either
go down into Wills Valley or down a road leading into Chatta-
nooga, always providing they are not occupied by the enemy.

"Trusting to your good judgment in the matter and your now
being made aware of the close proximity of the enemy, you will
move with alacrity.

"By order

"William J. Palmer,

"Colonel."

Eager questions on all sides brought out that Buzby could give
us no information as to any other road down into Chattanooga
except the one he came by, and he had to run the gauntlet of the
rebels in coming upon that.

It was now night, and the mighty shadow of Lookout crept
over the two armies. The fight dwindled away to a straggling
picket fire, and here and there along both lines the bright twinkle
of bivouac fires appeared emerging with the stars, and apparently
in similar numbers. Two parallel semicircles of blinking light,
broken in spots by intervening woods, marked the opposing
armies. As we reclined on the rocks, looking out upon this grand
historic scene, listening to the rifle cracks, and between them to
the confused murmur of the camps, the music of the bands and
the occasional cheer of some enthusiastic regiment, the order
"fall in, men !"came from Orderly Sergeant John Shelmire, calling
us back to duty and another night's service down the ridge of the

Company L on Lookout Mountain. 293

mountain. Everything was packed up and all hands went, and we
knew that "something would be doing" before long.

We stood guard all night on the different trails and roads, and
before daylight we were quietly called in, and Lieutenant Morton
explained to the men that he was going to try and get down into
Wills Valley, on the western side. We mounted, and traveling
along that side finally struck a trail going down the moun-
tain. We started down, and had not gone very far before we
came to a clear place which commanded a good view of the
valley below. It was broad daylight, and we could see from the
roads in the valley clouds of dust, indicating to us that a large
body of cavalry was moving in that direction. We turned in our
tracks and traveled up the mountain to the level again. The
fatigues and privations we had undergone produced a feeling of
indifference as to our fate, and as we returned slowly and despair-
ingly to Summertown, every mind was made up to submit with
stolid grace to apparently inevitable capture.

It was yet early morning when we got back to the point, and we'
dismounted and most of us sought the cliffs again. Looking over
the rocks we saw that the blue and the gray armies still con-
fronted each other. It was not very clear and the clouds floated
below us, somewhat cutting off the view, but both armies had,
a?, if by mutual consent, ceased for a while to shoot pickets. As
the clouds broke away and lifted we could see the lines with the
Union colors and the steel bayonets gleaming out proudly along
the yellow works, and bands of music filled the air with defiant
notes. We were ready for Bragg's assault, but Bragg was set-
tling down into his memorable siege, confident of receiving in due
time the surrender of an emaciated and starving army. Things
looked pretty well for the Confederacy in this quarter, and some
feared that our successes at Vicksburg and Gettysburg were
about to be balanced. As we looked over the scene, my friend
Buzby said, "It is the greatest panorama ever seen by mortal
man."

It now became necessary to look more closely to our own safety.
The rebels swarmed about the eastern base of the mountain ; their
outposts were no doubt well up on the side of it, and on the only
road we knew of that would take us down. It was not probable
that they would permit that day to pass without feeling their way

294

History of the Fiffccufh Pcjinsyli'aiiia Cavalry.

to our retreat. Our provisions were absolutely gone and horses
and men were ravenous. To attempt to cut our way through, even
if our horses had been in condition, would have been folly.

As we turned away from the cliffs, at the Sergeant's call, we
found the Lieutenant and some of the boys talking to a stranger.
He was apparently a rebel, for he had on a butternut suit. We
found him to be a young man who lived back on the ridge of the
mountain. He was fresh from the rebel lines, which he reported
in close proximity. The scout, for he was a Federal scout, volun-
teered to conduct us down by a route known only to himself.
The path, if such it might be called, led down and over the extreme
point close to Chattanooga, but about equidistant from both
armies. The young man said it was an extremely hazardous
undertaking, especially with our horses, and loaded down as we
were with carbine and saber.

A council of war was held and the situation was thoroughly
canvassed. At 'first it was proposed to abandon our horses where
they stood, but this proposition did not meet with much favor,
and we resolved to stick to them and risk it. Our guide intimated
to us that if he was captured his fate would be the nearest tree.
We soon fixed that. He hid away in the rocks his butternut jeans,
and from the contents of our saddlebags we added another man
to the Anderson Cavalry. The signal officer and his men had
gone by this time — where we never knew. All things being ready
— girths tightened, carbines and pistols carefully loaded and
capped, with the carbines slung over our shoulders — we followe'd
the guide down the road by which we had ascended, pulling our
skeleton beasts after us.

The gloomy and silent woods below were thoroughly scanned
as we proceeded, lest a lurking ambush should start up around us.
Our footsteps in the dust sounded painfully loud, and the occa-
sional stumbling of a horse or the bouncing of a loosened stone
down the declivity started the echoes like a rebel yell. After
traveling thus for half an hour or so, we stopped at a sudden sign
from the scout, who went down the road some distance and laid
himself flat on the roadside, with his ear to the ground. We all
fully understood this to mean that the enemy was but a little way
below and that it was not safe to go any farther. We now fol-
lowed the scout away from the road and then turned directly

Company L on Lookout Mountain. 295

northward along the steep mountain side, cHmbing over boulders,
rocks and fallen timber, wading knee deep through fallen leaves
and twigs, scrambling through the bushes and thorn trees for
hours.

It was with incredible difficulty that our miserable beasts were
dragged and cuflfed along. There was no sign of a path save to
the practiced eye of the guide, who seemed to be familiar with
every rock and tree, but we were surely getting down. We now
heard the renewed picket skirmish fire, which seemed but a little
v.ay below us, and as it grew louder and louder it seemed to be right
across our path. We still kept along the side of the mountain,
and evidently the rebels were hurrying up from all sides. Down
and down we climbed, and it seemed that in a short time we would
be at the foot, and as the skirmish grew louder and nearer we
expected at any moment it might burst in view.

Suddenly the loud "halt!" of a picket echoed and re-echoed, and
then reins were dropped and carbines clutched, but only for an
instant, for below us, not twenty yards away, a tall, blue-coated
soldier stepped from behind a tree. We were now close to the
edge of the woods, and we learned from the picket that a portion
of General Sheridan's Division had been thrown out to the point
of the mountain to hold the road for us and give us a chance to
escape. The situation was still critical. We could see the infan-
trymen here and there through the woods, and the skirmishing
was becoming sharper and sharper every moment. The bullets
cut the leaves and twigs around us, and several of the men nar-
rowly escaped. The whole rebel army was in line of battle, and
the earthworks around the town were bristling with bayonets. It
was a thousand yards to reach the Union lines, and it must be
made in the open, in clear view of the whole left wing of the rebel
army. Our little company and the small body of Sheridan's
men were the only Union soldiers outside of the entrenchments.

Lieutenant Morton mounted his horse and rode to the head of
the company, and gave the command: "Prepare to mount!
Mount! By twos, march!" Sergeant Vandling unfurled the
Httle guidon and we rode slowly out of the woods, in full view of
both armies. It was an anxious moment, the skirmishing was still
heavy behind and on the right of us, and the bullets whistled
around pretty lively. "Trot !" was the command, and in a little

296 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

while we were sliding down the steep path to Chattanooga Creek,
which we crossed under the railroad bridge and up on the other
side, and in a few moments rode in behind the breastworks,
cheered to the echo by the boys who faced the enemy there.

The next morning as the sun arose it revealed the rebel flag
floating from the top of Lookout Mountain, upon the spot from
which we had so long and anxiously looked down upon our com-
rades.

FIRST STEP TOWARD OPENING THE CRACKER LINE.

JOHN M. ZOLL, COMPANY K, PHILADELPHIA.

SHORTLY before the battle of Missionary Ridge, when the
Army of the Cumberland was hemmed in by the rebels at
Chattanooga, Tenn., Oliver Edwards (of Company H, I
think) and I were detailed from department headquarters to carry
a dispatch to the commanding officer of a Michigan Engineer
Regiment which was temporarily camped in the valley, quite a
distance north of the Tennessee River.

We were awakened in our tents about 3 o'clock in the morning,
the rain was falling in torrents, and we were ordered to saddle up
quickly and to proceed on our journey without delay.

Accordingly we rushed things, received our rations and the dis-
patch, and were off inside of fifteen minutes. Before we reached
the Tennessee River we were drenched to the skin, and our rations,
carried in our haversacks, composed of sugar, salt, coffee, hard-
tack and "sowbelly," were mixed together promiscuously by the
rain, forming a combination too difficult for a chemist to analyze
and too hard for a cavalryman's stomach to digest.

After reaching the Tennessee River, which was much swollen
by the rain, we were obliged to cross it with our horses to the
north side, on a pontoon bridge, newly constructed. x\fter making
several attempts we finally crossed the bridge, but not without
much difficulty, as it was very shaky and wabbly. We did not
know what moment we would all be thrown or fall into the river,
as it was very dark.

On reaching the north shore our troubles began. The roadway
along the river was about twenty feet wide, running up against a
precipice from forty to fifty feet high, and we were obliged to
follow that road for about a mile before we could turn out and
strike the road that led to the valley.

We had not gone far before we encountered some of our sharp-
shooters, who were partly entrenched and were constantly en-
gaged in exchanging shots with the rebel sharpshooters on the

297

298 History of the Fifteenth Peiiusyliaiiia Cavalry.

south side of the river. After ascertaining our errand and desti-
nation, the Captain of our sharpshooters advised us to dismount
and walk along the side of our horses, using them as a protection,
saying if we did not we would probably be knocked off by the
rebel bullets. We took his advice at once and dismounted in short
order, walking and feeling our way as best we could.

The shooting on both sides was constant and somewhat noisy,
resembling a skirmish line. Occasionally we heard a noise like
that made by a cannon. On inquiring, our sharpshooters informed
us that the noise was made by a rebel operating a Alississippi
rifle, and their ambition was to kill the man behind that gun,
which they finally did, after some strategy.

The darkness and rain was a fortunate thing for Edwards and
myself, as we were exposed for over an hour to the misdirected
efforts of the rebel sharpshooters. We fortunately escaped being
shot.

We finally came to the road that led to the valley, and mounting
our horses we ascended the high hill or mountain and urged our
steeds forward, to reach our destination as soon as possible.

The rain had subsided, daylight began to appear, and after dili-
gent search and inquiry we found the location of the Michigan
regiment, and delivered the dispatch to the commanding officer.

The engineer regiment had an idea that they would be per-
mitted to remain where they were during the coming winter, so
they had built fine wooden structures, almost equal to houses,
where they were comfortably located.

Of course, we did not know the contents of the dispatch, but
found out that it was an order for the ]\Iichiganders to break
camp at once and report to headquarters at Chattanooga without
delay.

As soon as the news spread in the camp the soldiers threatened
to shoot Edwards and myself for bringing that dispatch, for they
mistakenly held us responsible for their rem.oval.

The Colonel, however, took a different view of the matter. He
treated us very kindly, gave us plenty to eat and drink, and sent
us on our way back rejoicing.

We arrived in Chattanooga in good time that afternoon, re-
ported to headquarters, delivered our receipt, and were ready for
further details, of which I always received the lion"s share, "be-
cause I had a good horse."

OPENING THE CRACKER LINE.

A. J. MINOR, COMPANY H, LINCOLN, NEB.

\ FTER the battle of Chickamauga, the Arm}- of the Cum ■
^^^-\ berland, under General Rosecrans, took up its position in
Chattanooga, which lies in a horseshoe bend of the
Tennessee River. As our base of supplies during the campaign
had been at Bridgeport, Ala., so it still remained at that
point, which is about sixty miles from Chattanooga. The Johnnies
took position at the north point or end of Missionary Ridge, their
lines extending from thence along the ridge to Rossville Gap,
thence across Chattanooga Valley to Lookout Mountain, including
the top and point of Lookout Mountain, and down the same and
across Lookout Valley to a point opposite Brown's Ferry, with
the Fifteenth Alabama on their extreme left. This command,
acting as sharpshooters, became very annoying to our supply and
pack trains, picking off the drivers and guards to such an extent
that General Rosecrans determined to open up a new road farther
east of the river. The route then in use was parallel with the
river on the east side, and the Fifteenth Alabama occupied the
west side.

Having a civilian civil engineer, by the name of Staunton, at-
tached to his staff", General Rosecrans selected him for this duty.
When Mr. Staunton was asked if he could perform this service he
said, "Yes." Asked what assistance he wanted, he replied, "A
good horse and two privates of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cav-
alry, well mounted, with ten days' rations." When told that sol-
diers would not obey him, he being a civilian, he answered that
he would risk that part, whereupon myself and John O. Stokes,
of Company B, were detailed for that duty. On reporting to Mr.
Staunton, he told us of the remark made at General Rosecrans'
headquarters, that soldiers would not obey his commands. "Now,"
he said, "boys, I don't intend to issue any commands at all, but if

299

30O History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

you will stand by me I will stand by you and treat you white."
And he did that same royally.

We left Chattanooga about the 5th of October, and crossed
Waldon's Ridge that day. The second day out the rainy season
set in, and it continued to rain till those small mountain streams
became raging torrents. On coming to one of these streams the
third day, the banks of which were very steep, it seemed as though
it was impossible for us to cross. After debating quite a while
about what to do, Comrade Stokes solved the problem by putting
spurs to his steed and plunging in. He went clear out of sight — ■
horse, rider and all — but came up smiling, and by keeping his
horse headed toward the opposite bank he landed safely. Mr.
Staunton then took the plunge, came up and swam for the opposite
shore, where he also landed safely. By going a short distance up
the stream I succeeded in finding a place where the banks were not
quite so steep, and T spurred my horse in and got across without
going under, though the water came up over my horse's back, fill-
ing my saddle pockets and saturating my blankets and overcoat.

On the 9th day we reached Bridgeport, having succeeded in
finding a practical route for our pack trains. The rains having
put the ground in such shape that wagons could not be used at all,
all provisions and supplies had to be transported by pack mules,
and often they would mire down, and have to be unpacked, helped
out and repacked again before proceeding.

At Bridgeport we found a contractor by the name of Boomer,
with a gang of men from Chicago, rebuilding the railroad bridge
that had been burned by the Johnnies during our advance in the
fore part of the campaign. Mr. Boomer was acquainted with Mr.
Staunton, and he gave us a welcome which I shall never forget.
We had been in the saddle for nine days, the greater part of the
time wet to the skin, when we came into Mr. Boomer's camp, just
at dusk. He immediately gave our horses in charge of his men,
invited us into his quarters, gave us dry clothes and set out a
quart bottle of "commissary;" after that, a good warm supper, con-
sisting of ham and eggs, with butter and soft bread — something
we were not much used to; then a good warm bed, for the
weather had turned quite cool during the last two days. Mr.
Staunton told us to tumble in, and we obeyed the command just as
quickly as if he had been a commissioned officer.

opening the Cracker Line. 301

We remained there a couple of days, all the time being fed on
the best they had in camp. Then, having drawn a fresh supply
of rations, we started on our return to Chattanooga, correcting
our blazed trail as we returned and making it a feasible route.
We got back on the 20th of October, and found that our old
Commander, General Rosecrans, had been superseded, and had
left for the North the day before. I never saw him again.

The route we laid out was used, but not long. It was not pos-
sible to feed our army at Chattanooga with the supplies that could
be packed on mules over the trail we made, nor by the wagons
over the longer route over the mountains, where the roads were
deep with mud. Something must be done and quickly, too, or
General Thomas' telegram to General Grant, "We will hold Chat-
tanooga till we starve," would have been fulfilled. Four crackers
of hard-tack and one-quarter pound of pork were a soldier's
rations for three days, and on October 30th, when the "cracker
line" was opened, all the supplies in the Commissary Department
of the army consisted of four boxes of crackers.

The enemy held all the river below Chattanooga to Wauhatchie,
where General Hooker's command had arrived, and at Brown's
Ferry, between the two places, they had 1000 infantry and three
pieces of artillery, so that before Chattanooga could be rationed
we must get rid of this force, and we did.

At 3 o'clock on the morning of October 26th, a picked force of
1400 men quietly took their places in fifty-two pontoon boats.
After dark another force marched to Moccasin Point, opposite
Brown's Ferry, and quietly waited. Those in the boats floated
down with the current, the darkness hiding their movements, and
just at break of day, when opposite the rebel pickets, the oars were
used, and the boats made for the shore. The enemy made as good
a fight as was possible, but our men had to win — they were "out
of meat'' — and the enemy was soon driven ofif and their artillery
captured. In the meanwhile the troops on the opposite side of the
river were ferried over, and soon all the positions recently occu-
pied by the enemy were held by us.

Our engineers had built, at Bridgeport, a small stern-wheel
steamboat and converted an old scow into a barge, and at 4 a.m.,
on October 30th, the boats started for Brown's Ferry with 40,000
rations and some forag^e for such animals as had not vet starved.

302 History of the Fifteenth Peiiusylz'ania Cavalry.

After a hard trip, with several breakdowns, late at night they
arrived at Brown's Ferry.

About the 29th or 30th, I am not quite sure as to the date.
Company H was detailed as guard to a wagon train. We crossed
Moccasin Point to Brown's Ferry, where we found a small steamer
loaded to the guards with hard-tack and pork. There we also met
a part of the Thirty-third New Jersey, from the /\rmy of the
Potomac, with Zouave uniforms and paper collars. Our boys
guyed them pretty hard about the paper collars, but we were glad
to see them all the same. The pork and hard-tack were most
welcome, for we had been living on short rations for so long that
anything looked good to us that was fit to eat at all.

From this time on the army received their rations and supplies
by steamer, wagon and pack mules ; but from October i8th to
30th the sole supply for the army had been by pack mules over the
route blazed by Mr. Staunton, John O. Stokes and mvself.

CAPTURE OF OUR WAGOX TRAIN IX SEQUATCHIE
VALLEY, TENNESSEE.

SERG. T. T. MCCALL, COMPANY K, PITTSBURG, PA.

WHEN the rebels had thrown their Hnes around us at
Chattanooga, after the battle of Chickamauga, and star-
vation stared us in the face, we welcomed the news that
there was plenty of corn and vegetables in Sequatchie Valley.
I for one rejoiced when Sergeant Yerkes came to my tent and told
me that I was one of three detailed from our company to go with
the detachment from the Regiment, then in camp on the west
side of Cameron Hill. If my memory serves me right, the detail
was composed of Abel Turner, Robert Kincaid and myself, of
Company H. We were to meet the detachment at the pontoon
bridge at 5 o'clock next morning, which we did, and found com-
pany G, Captain McAllister in command. With the wagon train
we crossed the Tennessee River and went up the road on the east
side of Walden's Ridge. Owing to the starved condition of
horses and mules our progress was slow. We understood that we
were to go into the valley via Foe's crossroads. On arriving at
the place we should have turned up the mountain, but for some
reason the Captain intended to go up to the head of the run, and
cross the divide into the Tennessee Valley, about thirty miles
above Chattanooga. We went about six miles and camped for the
night. In the morning the Captain received information that
General Wheeler with a division of Confederate cavalry was in
the Tennessee Valley, and we countermarched and went up the
mountain. It began to rain — a drizzling, cold October rain — and
continued until after 2 o'clock. About 3.30 we had crossed the
plateau on top of the mountain to where the road came up from
the Robinson house in the valley.

Just there we met the head of the wagon train coming up from
the valley, and as the road was narrow we had to wait until they
passed before we could go down. They were driving as fast as

303

304 History of the Fifteenth Pcniisyhaiiia Cavalry.

they could and were considerably excited, and on inquiry they
told us that Wheeler's cavalry was in the valley. Captain Mc-
Allister discredited the story, and said, "I will go down and drive
them out ;" so we went down to the Robinson house. Company G
occupied the large house where the road we went down inter-
sected with one leading from the head of the Sequatchie River on
down to the Bridgeport road, several miles down. Captain Mc-
Allister and Lieutenant Lingle occupied a small house just across
the road. We parked the train about 100 yards below, in a field.
We had, I think, twenty-five wagons and 150 mules.

Turner, Kincaid and I slept in a wagon. After supper we went
to the house to talk to the boys, and while there one of the citizens
from up the valley sent a colored man to Captain McAllister and
told him that Wheeler was camped four miles above, and he told
me the same story.

My comrades and I were anxious to get a mess of sweet pota-
toes, and got out earlier than the boys at the house. We rode up
to the house, and there another colored man met us, and said that
his mistress had sent him down to tell us to get out of the valley ;
that told of their loyalty.

Lieutenant Lingle made a remark about the pickets, when Cap-
tain McAllister said he had called them in to get their breakfast.
My two comrades and I went on out the road leading up the
valley, about 200 yards, into the edge of the woods, and on the
bank and a dozen paces to the right stood a darkey cabin. We
rode up to the door and asked where there was a sweet-potato
patch. The old mammy said, "I done had some in de garden, but
fo' de Lawd, de soger boys ober to de house done got them all."
Just then the advance of Wheeler's cavalry came around the bend
of the road, less than 100 yards from us. I raised my carbine,
and the officer in command called out, "Don't shoot!" The car-
bine, a Sharp, had been in an open wagon the day before, and
the cartridge was wet and missed fire. I told Kincaid to get out
of that, for he was mounted on a mule. I then fired my, pistol and
they fired at us. There were only five on the advance. I saw the
head of the column just as Turner and I broke for the rear, and
when we got to the house there was lively work among the boys
getting ready to leave before the rebels got there. Fortunately,
as I afterward learned, the rebels stopped to inquire of the old

Capture of Our Wagon Train in Scqnatchic. 305

woman at the cabin about our strength. She, in bhssful ignor-
ance, magnified it to such an extent that they advanced slowly,
and by that time the most of our men had mounted and began
firing. I finally got the cartridge out of my carbine by striking
the butt on the pommel of my saddle. John Crum, lately deceased,
gave me a package of cartridges. By that time all the boys except
Henry Sayres and Jack Pugh had mounted. Pugh had led his
horse in between the picket fence and the house, and had to back
him past the gate to get him out, and by that time the road up the
valley was full of Johnnies. The officers were commanding them
to close up briskly. Firing was going on from both sides. Just then
one of their men dismounted about fortv vards from us. laid his
long gun on the fence, blazed away and then threw down the fence.
They began to pour through the gap to cut us off, and then our
boys broke for the mountain.

I had held back for Pugh, and just as he mounted a Johnnie
rode around the house and called out to halt. Pugh yelled out to
"go to h — ! I have been there." I believe he had been a prisoner
at Belle Isle. The company had now quite a start on us. One man
was a couple of lengths from me and Pugh was far to the rear.
The Johnnie beat us to the fence, but, thank the Lord ! it was about
the best stake-and-rider fence I ever saw down South. They

yelled out, "Halt, you d d Yankees !" But we did not stop.

There must have been twenty-five or thirty of them. They fired,
but never hit man or horse. We dashed to Company G, about
seventy-five yards farther on. They were in a bunch, and Lieuten-
ant Lingle commanded the men to scatter out, as he said that the
rebels would concentrate their fire and kill some of us. \\'e obeyed
at once. Just then comrade (Jver's horse was shot in the neck,
and he barely got off before the horse fell dead. Jim took his "
bridle, halter and saddlebags oft', cut the girth of the saddle, gave
his saber and other things to some of the company, shouldered
his carbine and footed it up the mountain. A short time after,
as we were going up the mountain, a detachment made a dash
after us, but we tfirned around and drove them down again. We
then filed off to the left, threw down a fence, went into a corn field
and watched them burn our train. We turned sorrowfully toward
Chattanooga, arriving in due time, much disheartened. Henry
Sayres was captured and paroled with the teamsters.

20

3o6 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

I dreamed of the capture of our train the night after Sergeant
Yerkes detailed me to go with it. I saw the scene of our attack,
where we hahed in a bunch, heard Lieutenant Lingle give the
command to scatter out and saw him as plainly as I ever did.
Then imagine my surprise in the morning when I met him at the
pontoon bridge. The dream was repeated just as vividly the fol-
lowing night. I told the boys about it, but they did not believe it
would come true, but the second morning I saw it fulfilled.
This was the only dream I ever had that came true,

SEQUATCHIE.

CAPT. WM. F. COLTON, COMPANY A, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

THAT to every evil that comes to us there is a blessing at-
tached was exemplified when General Wheeler burned up
our wagons in Sequatchie Valley, October 2, 1863, and
the Regiment was sent over there a few days later to see how he
did it. Chattanooga when we left it was just entering on its star-
vation campaign, with only quarter rations for the infantry, and
a good deal less than that for the horses. Sequatchie was rich,
every other field was a corn field, and thousands of hogs and many
cattle covered her hills and valleys. Poultry and potatoes could
be had with the usual hunt for them, and while our comrades
of the infantry suffered and were hungry in Chattanooga, we in
Sequatchie were surfeited with the good things to eat, and would
have grown fat if Colonel Palmer had only allowed us to get
lazy, but that was not his way. Our horses enjoyed it, too. Ever
since the Chickamauga fight their food had been doled out to them
in lessening quantities, so that soft pine boards got to be a luxury
to them. The wagons that went out after forage soon exhausted
the nearby country, and longer trips had to be made, and this
caused "Sequatchie" to be discovered by us.

It was a long valley, of about seventy miles, between the Cum-
berland Mountains and the Walden Ridge. The upper end, where
the two came 'together, was poor, but lower down the land was
richer and the valley wider, and neither army had foraged it much
until we got there. Where we first struck it was not over thirty-
five miles from Chattanooga, but Walden's Ridge had to be climbed,
and that was as high and as difficult to get over as were the Cum-
berland Mountains, and when the bad weather set in the old roads
were soon made impassable and new ones had to be found, so
that before we left, it was a trip of sixty miles.

The point where we first struck it was at Sam Robinson's plan-
tation, and we halted in an orchard while the men got their break-

307

3o8 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

fast and fed the horses. "Feed each horse only seven ears of
corn" was the order issued, lest overfeeding shonld "founder"
them. But the corn field was right alongside of us, and the
hungry looks of the dumb brutes, after they had eaten their
seven ears, cobs and all, induced nearly everyone to keep on feed-
ing until each horse had enough. The record was made by
"Imhofif," an old troop horse belonging to Captain Clark, who ate
forty-five large ears, half of them cobs and all.

The principal town in the lower valley was Dunlap. It wasn't
much of a town and greatly in need of repairs and paint, but pride
of home cropped out here, just as it does in ancestral mansions,
for when one of our men spoke slightingly of it to an old citizen,
he replied, "Well, I've seen it pretty lively. I've seen seven dead
men lying around the polls on election day."

The "Regiment was worked hard here. A very large territory
was covered by our pickets, so that every third day there came
on a tour of picket duty. We gathered up cattle for the army in
Chattanooga, and impressed ox teams to do our own hauling, but
this was only for a few days, as regular army teams were soon as-
signed us. W^e had to send to Bridgeport. Ala., for rations, and
that was a four-day trip. Every few days several wagons of corn
were sent over to Chattanooga to the escort companies at head-
quarters. Those companies soon joined us, but we still continued
to send corn and cattle there. A guerrilla Captain, named Carter,
came down on us one night and picked up three men of one of our
outlying posts. This was another blessing in disguise, for our
pickets were drawn nearer into camp, and it took less men to do
the work.

In a little over a month we had exhausted all the corn in this
end of the valley, and moved camp to Cedar Grove, about four
miles above Pikeville, near Jim Worthington's plantation. The
picket work here was not so heavy, but hauling rations from
Bridgeport and corn to Chattanooga still continued, and that work
was greater than ever. The Bridgeport depot ran short once and
we had no salt for a week. This was the greatest hardship
that ever came to us. Those who have never experienced it can-
not realize the craving when deprived of it. It is a neces-
sity, and had it been possible for either the North or South to
destroy the stock of it which the other had, the clamor for the

Scqiiafcliic. ^og

war to cease would have been so great that forty-eight hours
would have brought it to a close.

Just about this time we were joined by the Tenth Ohio Cavalry,
under Major AlcCurdy. They were under our Colonel's orders,
and kept with us all through the East Tennessee campaign. They
were a great help in the hard work we had to do.

General Grant, having relieved Chattanooga, at once turned his
attention to relieving Burnside at Knoxville, and after the battle
of Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863, orders were received by
us to march to that place. Only about two-thirds of the Regiment
went, as only those who had good horses were taken. There was
no time to wait and gather up the different details of the
Regiment, which were strung out all along the roads to Chatta-
nooga and to Bridgeport, Ala. This left about 125 men in
camp in Sec[uatchie Valley under command of Captain DeWitt ;
other officers being Kramer, Kirk, Lloyd, Logan and Dr. Say.
Adjutant Colton joined on December 13th, on his return from
sick leave.

Carter's gang of guerrillas again put in an appearance, and then,
a short time after, we caught one of them, a Captain Jim Fraley.
After due trial he was found guilty and hung the following Sum-
mer, at Nashville.

The victory at Chattanooga had relieved us from sending for-
age, rations and cattle to that place, as it opened up the railroad
and made our work much lighter. Now we had only to do a little
picketing, and about once a week send a detail to Bridgeport for
supplies. The men rather liked that duty, although the trip took
about a week and the roads were bad, for when the rations were
drawn it was always found that the amount received was greater
than what the requisitions called for, and the excess was divided
among the train guards. The country was filled with deserters
from the Tennessee and Kentucky regiments in the Confederate
service. They gave no trouble. They only wanted to get home
and be good citizens.

Now that our work was lighter our thoughts turned to pleasure,
and a party was given, December 14th, by some of our officers at
Squire Tullas' house. The preliminaries were easily arranged.
A call was made on some lady in the neighborhood, no letter of
introduction being necessary, and the invitation given was always

3IO History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

accepted. The soldier always offered a horse to ride, as the lady's
horse had generally been stolen. The music was furnished by
two colored men, who accompanied the violin with singing. The
principal tune was "Sallie Gal," but no one ever got the words.

About 1 1 o'clock came supper — ham, chicken, wild turkey, veni-
son and pure coffee; then on again with the dance. Plain
cotillions were all they knew, with plenty of "jigs" in them, and
lots of exercise. Toward daylight, or, as one young lady expressed
it, "The night's near dead, I can see the mountain," the party broke
up, the girls were taken to their homes and we went to camp.

Along in December, Col. Tom Harrison, a cousin of our late
President, joined us with his regiment, the Thirty-ninth Indiana,
and took command. He was an easy-going, splendid fellow, and
we liked him for a commanding officer, as he never ordered us
about.

The Indianians soon had the party fever, and on December 24th
got up one at Colonel Bridgeman's, in Pikeville. It had some
singular features. As they had very few ladies and a great many
soldiers, the chances for a dance were sold at one dollar each, and
the purchaser was given a ticket with the number of the dance he
bought. From the number of tickets sold, it would have taken two
days to have filled all engagements. The party was a success
only from a financial standpoint. A small party of the F"if-
tcenth, not exactly satisfied with their chances for a dance, smug-
gled some of the nicest of the girls away and finished the party at
Judge Frazer's house, in Pikeville.

Relaxation of discipline and not sufficient work to keep the
men busy soon breeds trouble. In every regiment there is a certain
proportion of poor soldiers who continue to get out of all hard
campaigning, and many others are mischievous just for the sake
of the fun they got out of it. The orders were strict that no apple
w^hisky or peach brandy should be sold to the men, but these could
not always be carried out. At one time one of our men arranged
with a mountameer to trade his revolver for a canteen of peach
brandy, and appointed a certain place outside the camp to make the
exchange on the following day. When they met, the soldier, to
show the citizen that his revolver was good, fired several shots. At
this signal his messmate appeared on the scene, fully armed, and
arrested them both. He started to take them to camp, but the citi-

Scqiiafcliic. 311

zen begged so hard to get off, on account of his famil\-, that he was
allowed to go, but the brandy was confiscated.

On January 4, 1864, with sixty-five men, we joined an expedi-
tion, under Colonel Harrison, to Sparta, about thirty-five miles
to the westward, across the Cumberland Mountain, and arrived
there at daylight the next morning, in bitter cold weather. The
purpose of the expedition was to break up a bad gang of guer-
rillas and bushwhackers, under Champ Ferguson, in that neigh-
borhood. The job was quite well done, two of the marauders
being killed, several wounded and sixteen captured. On the 6th,
our detachment, under Captain DeWitt, returned to Cedar Grove,
but the writer was detailed at Sparta until the 12th. as Provost
Marshal.

'On the way back we saw deer and wild turkeys, and supped
on venison and turkey that night. A settler on the mountain said
that in two years he had shot thirty deer and 300 wild turkeys.

On February 7, 1864, our camp was broken up, and our detach-
ment of about 200 men, under command of the Adjutant, went
up Paine's Trail to the top of Waldon's Ridge, and on the even-
ing of the nth met the balance of the Regiment in camp near
^Missionary Ridge. They had seen hard service in their East
Tennessee campaign, and had earned a rest in which to recuperate.

MAJOR WARD'S CHARLIE.

SERG. JACOB KITZMILLER, COMPANY E, GETTYSBURG, PA.

CHARLIE'S home, near Tenth Street and Washington Ave-
nue, Philadelphia, could not have been attractive to him, for
at an age when most boys keep close to it, Charlie started to
see the world. He must have been attracted 'by the neat and
officerlike uniform which some of our boys wore, for he joined
himself to a squad which was leaving Eleventh and Market
Streets depot, and turned up in our camp at Carlisle at our organi-
zation.

He did not seem more than ten or eleven years old, and small
al that. He was not handsome, for one eye was crossed and there
was a squint in the other, and his whole face was freckled. He
was not attractive in any way, but was good-natured, good-man-
nered and had a pleasant smile on his face at all times.

There was something in him that suited Major Ward, for he
took him under his protection, so that he became known to all the
Regiment as "Major Ward's Charlie."

He stayed with the Regiment on its trip west to the Army of the
Cumberland, and went down to the battle of Stone River. He
was with the wagon train when Wheeler captured it, and stayed
with the enemy for several days, but was not of sufficient impor-
tance to be carried off with them. He loafed around the house
where Major Ward lay v/ounded till the Major's death, and then
made his way to Nashville, where the Regiment was. Whether the
surroundings there were not to his taste, or whether he had an at-
tack of homesickness does not appear, but he went home to his
folks in Philadelphia. This did not suit him either, for, getting in
with some soldiers of the Ninth Corps, he kept with them to Vicks-
burg, and was there all through the siege and capture of that
place.

It was a puzzle how he got around so much. He paid no rail-
road fares, as he had no money, and didn't care to have any.
312

Major JJ'ard's Charlie. 313

That good-natured smile of his was all the capital he needed for
his travels, for everyone either pitied or liked the urchin, and had
no cross word for him. We saw no more of him until in Novem-
ber. 1863, when we were encamped in Sequatchie Valley, at Sam
Robinson's plantation, and here he visited us once more, coming
up with our wagons from Bridgeport, Ala., where they had gone
for stores. He only stayed a week or so, and then passed over to
Chattanooga, and that is the last we saw of him.

WAR'S VARIED DUTIES.

HOWARD A. BUZBY, COMPANY E, GERMANTOWX. PHILA.

THE writer's stay in Sequatchie Valley was very brief, ex-
tending only over one month. It was no credit to him nor
to those who spent a certain night with him, and I then
tiiought it would be as well to keep this adventure from the public
eye. Those who were in the conspiracy called at his tent in the
early morning of that night, and were astounded to find him gone,
and upon asking Lewis, "Where is Howard?" the only answer
was, "He has gone." "And where?" they cried. "He has gone,
and that is all I am at liberty to tell you," replied Lewis. The con-
spirators were struck dumb, and moved around like men in a
dream, repeating to themselves, "He has gone," and now, as these
men have grown old, I consider it my duty to tell them where I
had gone. I think the Fifteenth should know this, and it should
take its proper place in the book.

When we arrived in the valley we discovered that Wheeler had
reached there before us. He heard of our coming and had gone.
I was going to write "left," but he did not leave anything but
earth and water, and a wagon train about five or six miles long,
burned to ashes. This was a very humiliating sight to see, for in
these wagons was the hard-tack and sides of swine with which
to feed our army at Chattanooga. The writer felt very angry at
this, and was glad they had gone, for in his rage he would have
killed some of them, sure. Our leader found that they had re-
crossed the Tennessee River and were inside the lines of Bragg's
army, and the time had not yet arrived for the Fifteenth to cap-
ture Bragg and his army. As night follows day and the day
was near its close, the men and horses being nearly exhausted,
our leader, whose eye was ever open to the preservation of the
horses in the command, began to look about for a place to camp.
A suitable spot was found higher up in the valley, where troops
had never been before — a land flowing with milk and honey, swine,
314

JVar's P'aricd Duties. 315

turkey gobblers, etc. The Fifteenth, who always had an eye for
the good things of this world and a scent like hounds, were drawn
up in line before entering the camp. Our leader, with his experi-
enced eye, saw mischief in the men's eyes. He knew they were
hungry. Some of them, without judgment, licked their chops in
anticipation of the good feed they would have ; so he had the
Adjutant read in a loud voice that any member of the Regiment
detected in foraging on the citizens would be put on extra duty
and about everything else except discharged from the army. They
seldom discharge privates from the army until their time is up or
the war is over. It is only the officers they fire out once in a
wdiile.

Lewis and I had our dog tent rigged and our horses tied up
for the night. I know this was rightly done, as I did it myself,
while Lewis gathered wood for the fire, and pounded the cofifee
v^ith the end of his pistol barrel in a couple of dirty tin cups. When
I came from the lariat rope, after attending to the wants of Camel-
back and Bill, he had the tin cups on the fire and two thin slices
of swine on a stick, parboiling or smoking them, as he had more
smoke than fire. His eyes showed it, the sniffing of his nose
proved it and the taste of his cooking was double proof, for I
believe if you had eaten one of the burnt embers of the fire it
could not have been more seasoned with smoke. But we ate,
knowing that after a famine comes a feast, and vice versa. After
wiping off our mouths with a handful of leaves or grass, we began
spreading our blankets for the night.

The talk during these proceedings was concerning our horses —
"Camelback" and "Bill." Both of them had a good deal of tour-
ing around on Chickamauga's bloody field, up and down Lookout
Mountain's steep sides, and for the last three or four weeks we
had hardly been off their backs, and now we were in hopes we
would have a chance to bring them around to be festive colts once
more. We were now stretched at full length on mother earth. We
had said the little prayer our mothers taught us when we were
little boys. We were little boys no more, and so said the prayer
very quietly to ourselves, for fear somebody would hear us and
think we were weak.

These little jobs being done, we were about to drop oft' into a
sweet slumber — soldiers seldom dream. Onlv those dream who

3i6 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

go to banquets or eat too much supper. How could a person
dream who had only a cracker and a little coffee for supper ? All
of a sudden a soldier crawled in upon us, whom we both recognized
as a member of Company M. In a low voice he communicated to
me a deep-laid plot, for he knew Lewis was a Christian who had
no taste for plots. As Company M was reconnoitering a mile or
so from camp, they found that one or two citizens had built a high
fence, and inside of the fence had corraled at least twenty or thirty

swine. He and (I will not mention their names, as it has

just occurred to me that one of them now speaks at Friends' Meet-
ing and another is a prominent minister in the Episcopalian
Church) were armed with an axe which they had just got from a
barn nearby, and we also had our sabers. There was to be no noise
about the bloody deed which was to be committed that night.
Everything was to be done decently and in order, with no one to
cry out, "Did you hear a noise?" I believe I would not have
been one of them if the visitor had not m.entioned that a creek of
fine running water was nearby, where we could wash our hands
and all traces of the deed away. Lewis expostulated and urged me
not to go, but the yearning for fresh pork was strong within me,
and soon, with six comrades of Company M, we were stealing
over fences and through the fields to the place where something
that was alive would soon be dead.

As we passed the guards and pickets we were honest with them
and they with us. We promised them a piece of the hog and they
promised us to keep quiet. As I recall that night I can almost
feel my flesh creep. The owl screeched, the cricket chirped and
the moon seemed larger, now glaring its full light on us, now
bobbing in behind a cloud and leaving us in darkness. The others
seemed to enjoy the thing, for they had been talking about nothing
else ever since they had passed this pen of animals which the Jew
doesn't eat and the Gentile does.

At last we arrived where the bloody deed was to be done. The
victims were startled at our approach and were grunting through
the rails at us. One of our number proposed letting one out.
That would not do, as they might all get out. After several plans
had been discussed and as time was flying, it was decided that we
should jump over into the inclosure and slash away with our sabers
and axe and clubs until we had killed one. At last we were all in

Jl'ar's I'aricd Duties.

3U

the pen slashing away. It did not work. The hogs became en-
raged, and for a time it seemed as if a party of the Fifteenth would
have to fly from a lot of swine. But there was one with us from
Adams County, a farmer's son, and he took command of us and
the axe. We were to center on one particular hog. It was very
unlucky for that animal that he was born with two white spots
on his hams, for that was the cause of his being killed and eaten.
He was a black one, with the exception of the two white spots.
The whole assault was directed on him, and the axe, the sabers
and the clubs and stones were all directed to those two white spots.
Blinded and confused, the poor animal became separated from his
fellows, when a powerful blow from the axe brought him to his
knees, and with a squeak he gave up the ghost. He was larger
than we had thought him to be, weighirig perhaps some 400 or 500
pounds, but we pulled him through the fence and down to the
creek. We w'ere all butchers in one sense of the word, but not in
another.

We did not complete the job as clean and as fine as a regular
butcher, but the creek was a big thing in cleaning up matters and
making the meat salable and eatable. We left the head, as we
could not make scrapple, and we also left the sausage meat and
the things to put the sausages in. We skinned him, and then
came one of the grand acts of my life. I made sure he was dead
before beginning to skin him ; and then we began to cut him up
and divide. Being an invited guest, they gave me a ham. The
pieces were all allotted around. The Adams County man who
commanded us and the axe had the pick, the picket got one set
of the spare ribs and the guard the other set, and all were satis-
fied. Then we hurried. The moon which had given us Ifght
was now lighting the country of Li Hung Chang. In sneaking to
my tent I w^as hailed by another guard, but he was a good friend
of mine and I promised him a piece of the hog, and all was well.

Having arrived at 'the tent, the first thing to do was to wake up
Lewis, who, loving me as a brother and fresh pork as a sister, was
delighted to see us both. We quickly gathered up the blanket and
scooped out a hole and buried the ham, the same as the dogs do.
for some future time. Soldiers as a general thing do not carry
watches, so we did not know what time it was. However, we
knew it was near morning, and again we were stretched on our

3i8 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

mother earth. I felt ashamed to repeat the Httle prayer, and
instead promised Lewis to tell him all about it in the morning.

I hardh- got into a good doze when Sergeant Burton poked his
head in the tent, and, calling me by name, said, "You are to report
to Colonel Palmer at once." It came so sudden as to almost stop
circulation, and I believe I would have died of heart disease if it
had not been for Lewis. He turned over, and said, "I told you
so," which made me mad. Circulation came back with a rush,
and I was soon on my way to the Colonel's tent, with my mind
filled with strange forebodings of evil. Decision of character is
a good thing to have, and I made up my mind to face the music
like a man. The camp was all asleep, although the glorious day
which follows the night was near at hand. The Colonel was up,
but not fully dressed. 1 saluted very low, when he, without any
ceremony, calling me by my first name, said : 'T want you to
saddle your horse and take the road leading over Walden's Ridge
into the Tennessee \"alley. After arriving at the foot of the
mountain take the road leading to a small town called Wash-
ington, on the Tennessee River." .

I shall not tire the reader with all the instructions. Suffice it
•to say Longstreet's Corps were encamped opposite Washington,
on the other side of the river, and a courier line ran on our side
from Chattanooga to Knoxville, through Washington, with which
I had nothing to do. As we could see their camp fires and hear
their drums beat, I took it for granted that I was to report any
sudden move on the other side. The Colonel impressed upon my
mind to be polite and courteous to the citizens, to protect their
property, etc. I rather winced under that, and so would anybody
whose hands were still red with blood. I was to take plenty of
coflfee and sugar and salt. While he was telling me all this I was
so overjoyed that it was not what I expected that I said "Yes,
sir; I understand," to nearly every word he said, and felt like
falling down and kissing his foot or toe, whichever the reader
thinks would sound best. He closed by saying, "Be alert, go light
and make Washington before night. Your messmate wall bring
you cofifee and sugar at the proper time."

Three minutes after the last word Camelback was standing in
front of our tent, saddled and bridled, and Lewis was running to
the Commissarv and filling mv saddlebags with coffee and sugar.

Jl'ar's J\ii'icd Diific

319

He was anxious to get me off. I was to be out of camp before
the Fifteenth was astir and was to answer no questions. 1 found
the road up the mountain and arrived at Washington in time to
take my bearings. I took supper and spent the evening with
Parson Early and his family, whose acquaintance I made in about
five minutes. I told them I had been sent by our Colonel to pro-
tect them in their homes and firesides, and to clinch the thing, gave
them coffee, sugar and salt.

If a man wishes to find out if he has been consistent, let him sit
down and let his mind play on his past life. Here was a man one
night doing that of which the reader has been fully informed, and
the next night hearing himself mentioned as one sent by Provi-
dence to protect his hosts and cheer their hearts in this trying hour.
While writing this I imagine that I can see Parson Early and
his family sitting around the table with bowed heads. The reader
will forgive the guest for his thoughts at that time, for they were
in Sequatchie Valley. At this time he was a soldier, trained to
adjust himself as a little slot in a little wheel in the big machine
composed of many parts, to crush the rebellion.

My stay at Washington extended over several weeks. Lewis
was sent over frequently with coffee, sugar and salt.

His first visit to Washington, on the Tennessee River, he told
me he would never forget. He rode up and down, wondering
how he could find me. I had taken possession of a lawyer's office
and saw him wandering around as I was standing in the doorway.
I had full possession, the attorney being on the other side of the
river. Though overjoyed to see him, I wanted to see how he
would manage. At last his eye caught me. He told me a few
weeks ago he was never so glad to see anybody before or since.
\Micn he came wc always had a good time.

It would not do, of course, to take him out to tea or dinner
among my numerous friends in Rea County, so we would have
a feast in my office. We would cook a big mess of fried pumpkin
and other things which were in season and talk ourselves to sleep.
His stav w^as limited to one night. I would feel very lonesome
when he was gone, and would mount my horse and take tea with
Judge Locke. Mrs. Kelly, "Squire" Darwin, Mr. Gillespie — the
latter a relative of the Philadelphia Gillespies — Parson Early or
some other of the first families of Rea County. The persons whom

320 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

I have mentioned all had sons or relatives in the Confederate army,
but thev could not have treated their own sons better than they
treated me.

Soldiers at the front are always hungry, so I was delighted
when a colored girl — the last slave out of twenty-two that was
left to the Gillespies — began setting the table and spreading the
cloth, and Airs. Gillespie said that I must take tea with them,
although they had no tea, but would use the cofifee which Lewis
had brought me. I accepted the invitation with all the politeness
at my command. Our leader had taught us to be polite even in
taking a chicken, a pig, oats or a horse, and we had learned to
do these things so politely that the owners were glad they had met
gentlemen who could do these things so gracefully, that they did
not feel the loss. With ringing of a little silver bell — a risky
thing to have about in war times — Air. Gillespie and a Fifteenth
man were summoned to the dining room. At a glance I saw that
these people had seen better days, but the smell of coffee and the
bacon frying so occupied my thoughts that I took small account
of the magnificent coffee urn, sugar bowl, cream pitcher and the
other grand paraphernalia on the table. Knowing how glad
society people are to read of teas given and the color of them, I
will state that this was a "brown" tea. The coffee was brown, the
bacon was brown, the corn bread was brown, the tallow candle
gave a brown light and a "brownie" carried the corn bread and
bacon from the kitchen. Mrs. Gillespie did the pouring and did it
up brown. Mr. Gillespie and the writer did the talking and did it
up brown.

I made one mistake in ;iiy talking, but discovered it at once, and
soon fixed it up. Mr. Gillespie thought that it would be better
for the North and South to have separate Governments, and went
on to explain, when I blurted out, with my mouth full of corn
bread, that the South would be crushed like a rotten apple. I saw
my mistake at once, and hastened to rectify it by saying, "That is,
if the two sides do not come to some understanding." I am sorry
to confess it, but I backed water badly. I feel ashamed to write
all I said, but wound up by saying that together we could 'whip
the world. I thought that Mrs. Gillespie would fall on my neck
and kiss me. I was gla:d she did not,. for Air. Gillespie looked like
a man who wouM stand no nonsense.

IVar's Varied Duties. 321

All things have an end, and so had our brown tea, and after
a very happy evening we parted the best of friends, they to their
beds to think of their sons and sons-in-law in the Confederate
army, and the Fifteenth man to think where he would invite him-
self to tea on the morrow. As the good people in this valley
treated me so kindly, I take this opportunity to publicly thank
them and mention their names as I remember them, that their
posterity may feel proud that their parents so treated a stranger
who still thinks of them after a lapse of over forty years. There
were Parson Early and his good wife, "Squire" Darwin and Mrs.
Darwin, Judge Locke and Mrs. Locke, Mr. Gillespie and Mrs.
Gillespie, Mrs. Kelly and family, the Cunninghams and Mrs.
Payne. I would mclude the latter's daughters, but these called us
all a lot of Yankee thieves. But we will forgive them, for they
were strong for the cause, and the cause is dead.

While sleeping on the roulette table in my little headquarters
I was shaken by a heavy hand, and a strange voice said, "Is
your name Buzby? Are you a Fifteenth man?" In the twink-
ling of an eye I was on my feet confronting a soldier covered
with mud, with every evidence of having had a hard ride.
"That's my name and I am a Fifteenth man," and in the same
breath asked him his regiment and what was the latest. He said,
"This is the latest," pulling a dispatch out of his pocket and
handing it to me, and while I was reading it telling me that he
belonged to the Eleventh Tennessee. The dispatch read, as nearh
as I can remember :

"Mossy Creek.
"To Howard Buzby :

"You will report to the Regiment at once. Inquire at General
Burnside's headquarters at Knoxville.

"Col. Wm. J. Palmer,
"Coinuianding i^th P. V. C."

Soldiers at the front do not carry watches — in fact, have no use
for them. They know when they are hungry, they know when it
is daytime and when it is night, and that is all it is neccessary for
them to know. It was pouring down rain and dark as Egypt, with
no stars out to guide either the mariner or the cavalryman. My
two visitors said it was near morning and the roads were full of

21

322 History of the Fifteenth Peiiiisylzania Cavalry.

washouts, and that we would make better time by waiting tmtil
morning, which we did. They made me very happy as they lay on
the floor telling me about the Fifteenth. They called our leader a
wizard.

With the Fifteenth he was pounding on Longstr-eet's rear,
through Bull's Gap, crossed the French Broad River, had a hard
fight at Sevierville, at Mossy Creek, and was on to them day and
night, and if he had not been called off would have gone on into
Richmond. But I was startled when they told me of the fight at
Dandridge — how our advance guard made a charge on the whole
of Longstreet's Corps and nearly all were gobbled, killed or
wounded. The reason I was startled was that there were besides
myself half a dozen Fifteenth men from Germantown. and they
always cried to be on the advance guard, not because they were
brave, but because they would have the first dip at the chicken
roosts along the road. I was an exception. I never cried to be on
the advance. Guess it was because I was honest. Sure enough,
one of them was with the advance, and when I heard he was gone
my grief knew no bounds. I will be honest, and as we are all
getting old I will give my reasons. He had shaved me a hundred
times without a "thank you," and I believe that through his keep-
ing my face clean and my mustache a la Napoleon I was detailed
as a mounted orderly. And now who would do it ? The thought
of losing this lofty position nearly broke my heart. With the rest
he was sent to Andersonville, and learned to lick Indian meal like
a cow. If the reader wishes to know the particulars he can call at
a certain post office at ]\It. Airy and inquire for the postmaster.
Don't, however, be too sudden on him. First buy a thousand
stamps and pay him for them ; then ask him if he was a Fifteenth
man ; then sit down in an easy chair or on the doorstep, and if
it is not his busy day he will tell you all about it.

Without bidding farewell to my friends in the Tennessee Valley
I took the road to Knoxville. On arriving there I went at once
to General Burnside's headquarters. I first inquired of an orderly
if he knew where the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry
was. He did not. Some orderlies don't know much and some
know too miuch. However, I found out that the last that was
lieard of them at headquarters was that they were at Smoky
Mountain and had been ordered back to Chattanooga. I finally

War's Varied Duties. 323

found that they were on the soiith side of the Tennessee River,
with their horses' heads turned toward Chattanooga. When I
crossed the river and struck the road that they were on, an old
colored man told me that I was a day and a half behind them.
But Camelback smelled them afar ofif, and quickening his pace
came up with them nearly opposite to the place we had started
from, but on the south side of the Tennessee River.

My reception was a grand one, but there were no refreshments
but a cracker. I will say no more about it, but was surprised at
the quantity of "friends" they had brought with them from East
Tennessee. The first night I slept in the camp close to my old
comrades, and awoke with these "friends," who take a very active
part in times of war, running races over legs and back and hold-
ing a banquet on a new victim. But in the morning my friend
Spang, the artist, told me of a new dodge, which was to shake my
clothes over the camp fire, which would make them lose their grip.

I reported to our leader, who shook me by the hand, remarking,
"Well, I declare, this seems as if you came out of the ground!"
No wonder he was surprised to see me, for in obeying his order to
join the regiment I had ridden over a hundred miles and found
them within a half mile of the place from which I had started on
the hunt.

COMPANY I AT MISSIONARY RIDGE.

FIRST LIEUT. JOHN F. CONAWAY, A. A. D. C, PHILADELPHIA.

ON November i8, 1863, Company I, under Capt. W. W.
DeWitt, left the camp of the Regiment on Worthington's
plantation, near Pikeville, Tenn., in the Sequatchie Valley,
to escort a paymaster to Chattanooga.

The march over the mountains and down the Tennessee Valley
was uneventful until we arrived on the banks of the river, opposite
Tunnel Hill, about 10 p.m., on the 226.. Here we were suddenly
brought in contact with the Army of the Tennessee, under General
Sherman, which was then moving through the woods eastward,
preparatory to crossing the river early the next morning to attack
Bragg's right wing, on Missionary Ridge.

All this was a great surprise to us. Cut off practically, as we
had been at Pikeville, very little news of army movements in and
about Chattanooga had reached us, but now we suddenly found
ourselves in the midst of this grand marching column — slowly but
surely making its way to the place of crossing.

It seemed to us that every precaution possible was being taken
to keep the movement from the knowledge of the enemy. There
was no talking among the men and very little noise of any kind.
The officers were holding their swords in their hands, and the
wheels of the batteries and wagons were bound with straw. We
could distinctly see the rebels, sitting and lying around their camp
fires, on the opposite side of the river.

Sherman's army moved on as we were working our way toward
Chattanooga, and at sunrise the next morning was seen by us
marching up the slope of Missionary Ridge at its eastern extrem-
ity, the glint of the sunlight on their muskets resembling very
much what the reflection from an immense looking-glass would be,
sending its flashes into Chattanooga in regular but quick succes-
sion as the column moved and the motion of the men as they
marched altered the angle of its face.
324

Company I at Missionary Ridge. 325

It was nearly midnight of the 22d when we crossed the Ten-
nessee and reached General Thomas' headquarters. At daylight
the next morning our duties began. Having good fresh horses,
we were ordered at once, singly and in small detachments, as
couriers and orderlies, to all parts of the line, which on that day
was formed across the valley in front of the town and facing
Missionary Ridge. It seemed to us like a grand dress parade and
review of the Army of the Cumberland.

This was the first formation of the army for the general move-
ment forward, which resulted, on the 25th, in the capture of
Missionary Ridge and the routing of Bragg's forces, with heavy
loss, from the stronghold from which he had deemed it impossible
to be dislodged. We were awakened in the night of the 23d by
heavy firing, and watched the night attack on Lookout Mountain
— a grand sight — difficult to describe.

On the 25th the grand and final assault was made. Nothing
could resist the charge "onward and upward" until the heights
of Missionary Ridge were reached and the enemy forced to retreat
in great confusion, leaving their dead and wounded in the hands of
our brave comrades.

Just before the final charge some of our boys who had been
sent to Fort Wood with important dispatches witnessed the terrible
execution of the guns of that fort, particularly on the rebel bat-
teries along the top of the ridge. There were present at that time
General Grant and his stafif, with a number of general officers,
watching the progress of the battle with the keenest interest.
Suddenly, without any apparent reason. Grant and his staflf
niounted their horses, dashed down the rear slope of the fort, and
we followed them with our eyes until they reached Orchard Knob
— still further to the front.

The victory was complete. The members of Company I, whose
fortune it was by accident to take part in this battle, performed
the duty assigned to them faithfully and intelligently. The
Companies of the escort at headquarters — B, H and K— had
suffered severely during the siege for want of subsistence, and
they were practically dismounted, most of their horses having
died of starvation. Then our trouble began. By order of General
Thomas all our horses were turned over to the escort, and we
started back to camp on foot. What a weary march of seventy-

326 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

five miles that was, only those who participated can fully com-
prehend. We pressed into service an old wagon, on which we
loaded our saddles and equipments, and drawn by a couple of
played-out mules at first, and then by an old cow and ox picked
up on the road, after about six days" march we again joined the
Regiment at Pikeville. There were stirring times in front of
Knoxville about that time, and on December 3d, a few days after
our return to camp. Colonel Palmer at the head of the column
moved out on what is known as our first East Tennessee cam-
paign, leaving behind a small detail from each Company — except-
ing Company I, which was ordered to remain in its entirety —
unable to move for want of horses. And so we were not per-
mitted to participate in the glories of Strawberry Plains, Sevier-
ville, Mossy Creek, Dandridge and Gatlinburg.

PATRIOTIC UTTERANCES OF GEN. GEO. H. THOMAS.

CORP. JAMES W. OVER, COMPANY G, PITTSBURG, PA.

THE couriers who delivered the dispatches at the different
headquarters had opportunities of observing many inter-
esting incidents. I recall one which was especially so to me.

I had carried a dispatch to General Thomas' headquarters in
front of Tullahoma, arriving at daybreak. The occupants of all
the tents except one were sleeping soundly, and I entered it. to
deliver the dispatch. I found General Thomas there, so much
absorbed in conversation with a native that he did not notice me,
and I soon became interested to such an extent as to forget I was
intruding. The General was a Virginian, and the Tennesseean had
evidently been upbraiding him for his adherence to the Govern-
ment. After I entered, the General demonstrated the fallacy of
the State rights doctrine, eulogized our Government in the highest
terms, showing its great superiority to the Confederacy and Euro-
pean governments, and most eloquently portrayed the liberties
and privileges of its citizens and the obligations they were under,
and especially he, as an officer of the regular army, to support and
defend it.

I do not know what effect the General's words had upon the
Tennesseean, but I do know that to me they were as a revelation,
and made a lasting impression.

Nearly all the officers in our old army who came from the South
resigned and took service in the Confederacy, and the few who did
not were under the suspicion of our Government that their sym-
pathies were still with their own people. George H. Thomas was
one of our ablest Generals, and his promotion had been held back
from this cause ; but time evens up all things, and before the war
ended the Northern people knew that no more loyal man lived
than our grand old "Pap" Thomas.

327

HENRI LE CARON— ONE OF OUR CHARACTERS.

FRANK M. CRAWFORD^ COMPANY C, PHILADELPHIA.

EVERY cavalry organization in the army is governed by its
bugle calls, which, in their way, told us when to perform
the various duties of camp life. First came the reveille,
which broke up that last nap, which is so enjoyable. Then came
roll call, stable call, the recall, breakfast call, guard mount and
surgeon's call, to which last a large proportion of the men would
always sing the refrain, "Come and get your quinine." These
were all sounded before 8 a.m. The various other calls would
be sounded through the day, until at last taps, at about 9 p.m., told
us to put out our light and go to bed.

After those selected for buglers had mastered the intricacies of
their instruments we certainly did have a most excellent corps,
one of whom, Wm. M. Murdoch, had the proud distinction of
being known as "the best bugler in the Army of the Cumberland,"
and he must have been, for General Thomas made that remark.
The subject of my sketch was a good bugler, too, and got the ap-
pointment of chief bugler. He gave out that he was a French-
man, and in some vague way the rumor got abroad that he was m
some way connected with and related to the Orleans princes. But
his odd foreign ways, which we looked on as French, were belied
by his habit of talking like an English cockney. He couldn't get
his "haitches" in the right position.

I remember one of our night marches when a good many things
happened to him. "Hi was asleep on my 'orse," he said, "when my
'at fell off, and when hi got hofif to get hit someone stole an
'am hi 'ad, and while hi looked for my 'am, my 'orse walked off, and
so hi lost my 'at and 'am and 'orse, all in five minutes." He was
a good-natured, jolly fellow, keen to appreciate a lively remark,
which always brought a laugh to his face.

This characteristic of his was the basis of a very funny inci-
dent one morning. After our East Tennessee campaign, in the
winter of 1863, we encamped between Missionary Ridge and Chat-
328

Henri Le Caron — One of Our Characters. 329

tanooga, on the ground Sheridan's Division had fought over only
a few months before. The campaign had been such a hard one
that our Colonel gave us a couple of weeks' complete rest from all
drills. The time came, however, when the health of the men and
the discipline of the Regiment caused him to order the drills
resumed. Le Caron took his position in the open space between the
line of officers' tents and the companies, and went through all the
preparatory steps to sound the drill call. The principal thing the
bugler had to do was to compose his face and get the muscles of
the lips in proper trim, and it is then impossible to smile even, let
alone to give out a hearty laugh, but these were the things that
had a resting place close to Le Caron's mouth, and seemed to be
set on a "hair trigger," they went ofif so easily. Some of the men
nearby had an inkling of the coming call, and began making good-
natured, facetious remarks, at which Le Caron grinned, and post-
poned the call. As soon as he could get his face straight, up came
the bugle, and his lips took on that severe expression necessary to
produce sound, and then another remark by some_soldier brought
out the grin and the call was again postponed. By this time
other men had reinforced those who began the peculiar attack,
in which mother wit was the ammunition used, and their united
efforts made Le Caron w^ear a smile that wouldn't come ofif. Try
as hard as he could, it was impossible to succeed. The first note
or two was all that his efiforts could sound, and perhaps he never
would have got it all out had not the Adjutant, who orders all
calls and was wondering why he did not hear this one, come to his
rescue, drove ofif his persecutors, and then at last the call was
sounded.

It was in the summer of 1864, while we were at Nashville wait-
ing for a new lot of horses, that Le Caron wooed and won a lady
residing there, and his marriage in the Catholic Church and the
reception afterward at her home was an eventful occasion to many
of us who were there.

Soon after both of us got commissions in the Fifteenth United
States Colored Infantry, and the casual acquaintance ripened into
an intimacy which continued for many years after the war closed.
He was an odd character when in the Regiment, and was still odd
all the years I knew him, but the oddest thing of all was that with
all our intimacv I never knew or suspected what he really was.

330 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Before he left the Fifteenth Infantry he and some other of our
officers had joined a "Fenian Circle," then in Nashville, and
started in to make war on England, via Canada, and in the latter
part of 1866 began to invade that country, with our Le Caron as
Major and Aid-de-camp. They all got captured, of course, but
were later liberated.

In a book, which he published, entitled "Twenty-five Years in
the Secret Service : The Recollections of a Spy," we are told another
tale about him. He says he was raised in Colchester, England, and
that his name was Beach. He ran away from home, and after
working at several places landed in Paris, where he lived several
years. When our Civil War broke out he caught the "war fever"
from some American associates, came to this country, and, at-
tracted by the natty uniforms of the Andersons, joined our Regi-
ment, under the name of Henri Le Caron, posing as a Frenchman.
In 1867, while on a visit to his home and at the request of his
father, he was appointed an agent for the English Government, to
see what the Fenians were doing.

I met him here in Philadelphia, and after that in Chicago, when
he told me he had become a doctor, and had two drug stores in
Illinois — one at Braidwood and the other in a nearby town — where
I made a call on him. and found him apparently settled in a good
business, surrounded by a wife and several children ; but, accord-
ing to his book, he was still an English "agent." A few years
after the Fenians tumbled to his real character, and then our
Le Caron abandoned his home in Illinois, fled to England, and
wrote a book, in which he gloried in having associated himself
with all the Irish societies and Fenian leaders for a quarter of a
century and kept the English authorities posted on all the move-
ments they intended making, which he could well do, as his posi-
tion among them was next to the chief.

I do not know what became of him. They tell me that he is
dead, but he fooled me so well before that I'll try not to be sur-
prised if he walks in to see me some day. I do not care to glorify
the actions of anyone who seeks friends that he may do them an
injury, but there was something in the personality of the man I
could not help liking. Had the ability which he showed in his
chosen profession been used in some other sphere of life, he would
have achieved great success, financially and socially.

FIRST EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN— DECEMBER 3,
1863, TO FEBRUARY 11, 1864.

LIEUT. COL. CHAS. B. LAMBORN (DECEASED).

IMMEDIATELY following the victory of Missionary Ridge,
which forced General Bragg to hurry toward Atlanta with a
shattered and disheartened army, and relieved the beleagured
army of the Union which had been shut up for two months in the
narrow limits of Chattanooga, a large body of infantry was de-
tached under Generals Sherman and Granger and ordered to
march to the relief of General Burnside at Knoxville. Long-
street had invested Knoxville, into which Burnside had withdrawn
his little army and which he had hastily fortified with earthworks.
Repeated assaults had been made by the rebels, but they had been
uniformly repulsed with loss, and although few in numbers, and
now reduced to the last extremity by want of supplies, Burnside's
troops held their position successfully against Longstreet's force
without and the more dangerous enemy — starvation — within.

Generals Sherman and Granger marched their weary and foot-
sore veterans from the field of Missionary Ridge up the eastern
valley of the Tennessee, while the available cavalry of the Army
of the Cumberland, sadly reduced in numbers by the siege of
Chattanooga, in which nearly 10,000 horses and mules perished by
starvation, were ordered to accompany them or join tliem at Knox-
ville. Three Companies of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry
had been retained at the headquarters of the army at Chattanooga.
The rest of the Regiment with several detachments of mounted
troops had been previously sent to Sequatchie Valley, to gather the
rich harvests of corn and to protect the long wagon trains, laden
with supplies, that toiled across the mountains from Bridgeport
to feed the army holding Chattanooga.

On December 3d, Colonel Palmer with 175 men of his own
command and a detachment of 100 men from the Tenth Ohio
Volunteer Cavalry, under order of Major-General Thomas, left

331

2)2,2 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

camp near Pikeville, in Sequatchie Valley, for Knoxville. On
the evening of the 7th they reached that city, being the advance
of the troops sent to reinforce General Burnside. The rebel troops
under Longstreet had withdrawn two days before, and were at this
time moving eastward, as it was believed, for Virginia, with their
rear in the neighborhood of Strawberry Plains, sixteen miles
northeast from Knoxville, on the East Tennessee, Virginia and
Georgia Railroad. Sherman's and Granger's commands were
within a few miles of Knoxville, marching up, and it was expected
that an active movement would be made to press heavily on Long-
street's army.

Colonel Palmer had received orders to join General Shackle-
ford at Strawberry Plains, when information was received at
headquarters that the rebel Colonel Thomas with 250 Cherokee
Indians and Confederate troops had come down from the moun-
"tains "of North Carolina and entered the town of Sevierville —
twenty-eight miles east of Knoxville — captured the loyal home
guards who were there and robbed the citizens of considerable
property. A large proportion of the population of Sevier County
were known to be thoroughly loyal to the Union, and had con-
tributed a goodly number of efficient soldiers to our army. Gen-
eral Burnside desiring to protect the loyal citizens from rebel
depredation, ordered Colonel Palmer to march at once in pursuit
of Thomas and his rebel Indians and to recover the stolen prop-
erty.

In the afternoon of December 8th the command moved out
toward Sevierville. Learning that the rebels had retreated with
their spoils to Gatlinburg, a little hamlet on the Pigeon River, at
the very foot of the Great Smoky range of mountains and at the
head of a long, narrow defile easily defended. Colonel Palmer
deemed it best to march across Cove Mountain by a bridle trail,
and if possible strike the enemy unexpectedly in the rear. With
this object the command crossed into Weir's Cove, and on the
evening of the 9th had reached a point whence a narrow and
exceedingly difficult bridle path led over a lofty spur of the Smoky
Mountains, some eighteen miles directly to the rear of Gatlinburg.
Another road ran directly to the front of the position in which the
rebels were encamped. The people everywhere evinced the great-
est delight to meet our cavalrv, and attested the sinceritv of their

FIRST LIEUT. HARVEY LINGLE

Killed at Mossy Creek, East Tenn.. December 29. 1863

First East Tennessee Campaign. 333

loyalty by feeding our men and horses and guiding the command
through the difficult and unknown mountain paths.

Colonel Palmer divided the command into two divisions. The
larger one he led across the mountains. The other, under charge
of Lieutenant-Colonel Lamborn, took the direct route to Gatlin-
burg. Both detachments made a night march, and at daybreak the
next morning simultaneously attacked the enemy in their camp
at the foot of the main range of mountains. The surprise was
complete. The pickets deserted their posts at the first fire, and our
troops were within carbine range of their camp before the enemy
were prepared to resist. The position was a very strong one. A
direct and open attack with our force could not have carried it or
even reached the camp through the narrow and easily defended
defile up which the road ran.

Lieutenant-Colonel Lamborn opened a lively fire from his dis-
mounted men into the front of the camp, and Colonel Palmer
moved down rapidly with the main column upon the rear and
flank. The enemy were outwitted and terrified by the suddenness
of the attack, and after a sharp skirmish abandoned their camp
and fled in disorder to the mountains, into whose unknown and
impassable recesses cavalry could not follow. Six rebel Indians
are believed to have been killed or wounded, but they were carried
ofif during the fight. Capt. Chas. M. Betts received a flesh wound
in the arm and Capt. Geo. S. Clark, of Company E, a musket
ball in the knee, from the effect of which he was permanently
lamed and rendered incapable of future active field duty during
the war. Our troops burned the rebel camp, destroyed the cap-
tured arms, ammunition and supplies, and returned the horses
which were found in the camp to the citizens from whom they were
stolen. The unexpected boldness and celerity of this attack on
the rebel Indians in one of their own strongholds in the moun-
tains proved very serviceable in protecting the border counties of
East Tennessee from further depredation, and so thoroughly was
this band disheartened and routed that the North Carolina Indians
did not venture again, during the Civil War, to make predatory
incursions into these Union districts.

Finding further pursuit of the scattered rebels useless, Colonel
Palmer marched the command across the country to Dandridge,
on the French Broad River, in order to communicate with General

334 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Parke and to secure supplies for men and horses. For subsist-
ing the command the rich plantations along that river furnished
abundance of corn, wheat and bacon.

The pursuit of Longstreet had not been pressed with much
vigor. General Sherman, finding Knoxville relieved from siege,
returned with his troops to Chattanooga, and the remaining infan-
try forces under Granger and Foster, the latter having relieved
Burnside of his command, were camped within a few miles of
Knoxville. Longstreet moved slowly and leisurely toward Rogers-
ville and Russellville, and fed his large body of well-mounted
cavalry on the rich corn fields of the Holston and French Broad
Valleys.

Colonel Palmer received orders to scout with his command
along the flank of the main body of the enemy, to harass the
foraging parties and gather information of the movements of the
supposed retreating army. Both armies were mainly dependent
upon the country for their supplies, and the extended corn fields,
laden with ungathered harvests, which stretched for miles along
the rich alluvial bottom lands skirting the Holston, French Broad
and Watauga Rivers, were the scenes of many severe skirmishes
and even heavy cavalry engagements.

After the advance of our infantry had been stayed by a lack
of supplies and perhaps by the mistaken belief that Longstreet
was slowly retreating, the struggle in East Tennessee for two
months became virtually a fight for corn and bacon between the
cavalry forces of the opposing armies. For two weeks Colonel
Palmer with his command scouted through the country along the
Holston and between Dandridge and Russellville, sometimes ad-
vancing under cover of night to the immediate vicinity of large
bodies of the enemy, capturing provisions, stock and various
supplies, and getting much valuable information which was duly
forwarded to headquarters at Knoxville. Scarcely a day passed
without a skirmish with the enemy, and the safety of the command
made it necessary to practically "camp in the saddle," to march
rapidly and for long distances, and rarely to rest two nights suc-
cessively in the same place. Extreme watchfulness was required
to prevent a surprise, since this small body of men was a long
distance from any support and in the immediate vicinity of bodies
of rebel cavalry many times superior in numbers. On the night

First East Tennessee Campaign. 335

of the 22d of December, 1863, the command made a rapid march
ten miles above Dandridge, and seized twenty-six head of stock
and thirteen horses, with five of the rebel soldiers guarding them,
almost from the picket line of a brigade of rebel cavalry encamped
on the French Broad River, and successfully carried them off,
in spite of a lively pursuit to Flat Gap, beyond which General
Sturgis' command was encamped.

On the 24th of December a detachment of the Fifteenth Penn-
sylvania was the advance of a movement by two brigades of
Federal cavalry against a rebel force reported at Dandridge. The
rebels, after a sharp skirmish, were badly worsted, and were in full
retreat when they were reinforced by a brigade from Morris-
town that arrived in season to turn the tide of battle, and our
troops were forced to withdraw from the field, bearing with them
most of their killed and wounded.

In this engagement a brilliant dash was made by Colonel Palmer
and ninety men on the rear of a portion of one of the rebel regi-
ments, which was speedily demoralized, but on the return from
the charge a heavy fire was unexpectedly opened from another
body of dismounted rebels, by which ten of our men had their
horses shot under them, and they fell prisoners into the enemy's
hands. Among these was Capt. Washington Airey, of Company
L, a gallant and exemplary officer, who remained a prisoner for
some months, and was finally released only to die a lingering death
from a terrible disease engendered by the hardships of his im-
prisonment at Charleston, Florence and other points. The detach-
ment in addition to the loss of these prisoners had three men
wounded in the engagement. The total loss of all our troops in
this skirmish was seventy-five killed, wounded and prisoners. We
took twenty-five prisoners.

The bulk of our cavalry forces encamped about Newmarket,
and the Regiment was again sent to scout along the flanks of the
rebel cavalry, near Morristown. On the 29th of December, 1863,
a sharp engagement occurred at Mossy Creek. The rebels made
the attack, and after six hours of changing fortune they were finally
handsomely and decidedly repulsed and pursued for four miles in
rapid retreat. The enemy numbered about 5000 cavalry ; our own
forces were perhaps equal in number. The Fifteenth Pennsyl-
vania was engaged throughout, and made two fine charges, gain-

336 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

ing and holding an important position on the field. For these
services of the command Colonel Palmer was handsomely compli-
mented by General Sturgis, the Commander of 'the cavalry. Five
men of the Regiment were wounded, and First Lieut. Harvey S.
Lingle, a fine officer and acting Adjutant, was killed.

The winter now set in intensely cold, for three days the mer-
cury ranged within a few degrees of zero, and any movement of
large bodies of troops was almost impossible. Longstreet seemed
to have placed his infantry in winter quarters above Russellville,
and his cavalry was again sent to the corn fields of the French
Broad.

The cavalry Commander, General Sturgis, finding that the men
of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania could render most valuable service
in the way of harassing the detached portions of the enemy and
in gathering the much-needed information of their movements,
again ordered Colonel Palmer to move down in the vicinity of
Dandridge, and from that point to scout the country and to watch
the enemy and make report. The especially dangerous and
fatiguing military duty of scouting had now become a specialty
with this command.

Few officers of the army, as later campaigns fully displayed,
possessed higher qualities for the command of troops in dangerous
and difficult expeditions than Colonel Palmer, and no regiment in
the service could boast of men better suited for active, intelligent,
dashing scouts than the Anderson Cavalry. For two weeks they
scouted the whole country, on the enemy's flank, pouncing down
upon them at the most unexpected and unguarded moments,
marching day and night and picking up prisoners and gathering
stock almost within the limits of the rebel encampments. "Pal-
mer's Owls" became a synonym for the Regiment among the sim-
ple-hearted loyal citizens of that country.

During all this time men as well as horses must be fed, and
through the good management of Lieutenant Hinchman, the Regi-
mental Commissary, who watchfully foresaw every need and
profited by every advantage, grist mills were seized and set to work
night and day, with our own men for millers ; and good stores
of bacon and beef which the rebel plantations supplied were gath-
ered in, and our men and horses were provided with subsistence
from the country fought over throughout the whole of this winter

First East Tennessee Campaign. 337

campaign. For two months nothing but hmitecl quantities of
sugar and coffee were drawn from the Government, the country
itself supplying all other needs.

On January 13th news came to camp that the rebel General
Vance, from North Carolina, had suddenly come down from the
mountains with 300 Confederate cavalry, and had captured
twenty-eight w^agons, near Sevierville, belonging to a foraging
party sent out from Knoxville, and was rapidly retreating with
liis spoils through the mountains. Colonel Palmer instantly
started with his command in pursuit, and the next day, after a
rapid march of forty miles, struck the rebel force on Crosby
Creek, twenty-three miles from Sevierville, defeated and routed
the whole command by an impetuous charge, making prisoners of
General Vance, his Adjutant General and Inspector General and
fifty-two other Confederates, and capturing 100 horses, as well
as releasing all the Federal prisoners and recapturing the wagons
and mules. The prisoners and wagons were forwarded to Knox-
ville. For this gallant and brilliant achievement, so complete in its
results and accomplished without the loss of a man, General Stur-
gis especially recommended Colonel Palmer to General Foster,
and this officer, appreciating the valuable services of the Regiment
and the sterling qualities of its Commander, at once telegraphed
General Grant nominating Colonel Palmer for promotion to the
rank of Brigadier General. This nomination was forwarded to
Washington, with highly flattering indorsements, and Colonel Pal-
mer was soon after nominated by the President to the new rank ;
but his confirmation by the Senate did not occur until the next
session, and after another nomination accompanied by urgent
recommendations based upon greater services.

Colonel Palmer returned with his command to the neighborhood
of Dandridge, but as the main body of our cavalry had fallen back
to Knoxville, from the front of Longstreet, on the Holston. and
8000 of the rebel cavalry had been thrown into the corn fields of
the French Broad, the position became too exposed, and it was
deemed advisable to draw back toward Sevierville.

In the meantime our cavalry, under Sturgis, having crossed to
the south side of the river at Knoxville. moved slowly up with the
main body, and sent Col. Jim Brownlow with the First Tennessee
Cavalry to join Colonel Palmer and to act under his orders. On

22

338 History of the Fifteenth Pennsyhania Cavalry.

January 22, 1864, Colonel Palmer, strengthened by Brownlow's
regiment, moved up for a reconnoissance against the enemy, above
Dandridge. Having learned that they had sent out heavy foraging
parties to Indian Creek, he pushed up about ten miles, and in a
sharp running fight of five miles captured three officers and sixty-
eight enlisted men, with seventeen wagons and ninety mules, hav-
ing killed two rebels and v/ounded one, suffering a loss of one
man of the First East Tennessee regiment, wounded.

Three days later the main body of the cavalry had come up to
Sevierville, and the command was again joined with them. For
some days the whole cavalry force remained about Sevierville, feed-
ing up the stock, during which time small detachments of the An-
dersons, under good corporals and sergeants, to whom the country
had become familiar, were kept constantly scouting along the river
and in the neighborhood of the enemy. These non-commissioned
officers, with small details, were very efficient in this service, and
in addition to the valuable information which they acquired, rarely
returned to camp without prisoners.

On the 27th a small party of our scouts discovered a division of
the enemy a few miles out on the Newport road, and from the
information they obtained and the admirable knowledge of the
country shown by Col. W. J. Palmer, McCook's division of cavalry
was enabled to gain a brilliant victory, routing Morgan's rebel
division and capturing two pieces of artillery and eighty prisoners.
The following day another engagement was fought near Fair
Garden, East Tennessee, without decisive results.

This was the last battle of this campaign. The forage of the
country within our lines being now almost exhausted and the
infantry being still retained quietly in winter quarters at Knox-
ville, it was decided to withdraw all our cavalry to Marysville
and the valley of the Little Tennessee, and the following day the
movement was begun. Longstreet was thus left in quiet posses-
sion of the corn fields of the upper French Broad and Watauga,
and the 10,000 cavalry under his command remained there until
spring opened, and the main body withdrew to Virginia and re-
joined General Lee, from whose army they had been sent the
preceding autumn to reinforce Bragg at Chattanooga.

Colonel Palmer's command had been ordered back to Chatta-
nooga bv General Thom.as some time before the final withdrawal

First East Tciuicsscc Campaign. 339

of our cavalry was decided upon, but General Foster was unwill-
ing- to let him go. But now that the entire campaign was closed,
the command moved back, by slow marches, by v^'ay of the corn
fields of the Hiawassee and Tennessee, and on the nth of Feb-
ruary, 1864, arrived at Chattanooga, reported to General Thomas
and were rejoined by the rest of the Regiment, which had been
left in Sequatchie Valley.

This winter campaign of seventy days had been one of severe
service. The main body of the command, in addition to the daily
scouts, had marched and countermarched about icxx) miles. They
had taken part in six severe engagements of the cavalry forces,
and had themselves captured 194 rebel prisoners, including one
Brigadier General, three Captains -and three Lieutenants, seven-
teen wagons and mules, 250 stand of arms and 150 cavalry horses
and equipments complete, and had recaptured from the enemy
twenty-three U. S. soldiers and nineteen U. S. army wagons and
mules. The losses of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry had
been one officer killed, two wounded and one captured ; nine en-
listed men wounded and ten captured.

When it is remembered that there were but 175 men of this
Regiment all told in this campaign, and with the detachm.ent of
•the Tenth Ohio, whose losses were eight men wounded, the total
force under Colonel Palmer during most of the time num-
bered less than 300 men, the record of their services will stand a
fair comparison with any other body of men in the army. They
deserved and received the highest praises for their efficiency from
every Commander under whom it was their fortune to serve.

SCOUTING IN EAST TENNESSEE.

LIEUT. A."B. COLEMAN^ COMPANY L^ PHILADELPHIA.

AFTER our Regiment arrived at Dandridge I was ordered
to the south side of the French Broad River, with a small
party of my comrades, to go into the interior six miles and
hunt up a man by the nam.e of Colonel Derrick — a good Union
man of that section. Colonel Palmer, to the best of my knowledge,
had never laid eyes on the man, but it did not take him long to
know the name and proclivities of every man within a circuit
of six miles. Anyhow, he knew Derrick by reputation, and the
Colonel made no mistake in him. The object of the scout
was to procure horses with which to mount our Regiment, for we
were badly in want of them. We soon found Derrick's home,
v/hich was about six miles from the river, and he saw us coming,
but dodged us for a while, until he was sure we were not rebels.
He was very glad to see us and very willing to go with us any-
v/here, but it must be at night.

He was very much elated at the thought of the opportunity to
pay back his rebel neighbors for their persecutions and the suffer-
ing which they inflicted upon him and his community of Union-
loving people. Is it any wonder he was looking for sweet revenge?
The suffering of the Union people during that long war was dread-
ful in the extreme, and it was a great relief to them to help us
by guiding us through almost an unknown mountainous country,
delivering up to us provisions and aiding us in many ways. What
has the Government done for them, the most patriotic people in
the Union ? It cost them something to stand by the Union at that
time, as their rough experience proved.

Derrick at once piloted us to a camp in the woods, in the moun-
tains, which he had established early in the war, and here we
found about ten of Derrick's followers, who were compelled to
hide during the daytime. Derrick also had what he called a grape-
vine telegraph in operation, carried on by the women of the com-
340

Scouting in East Tennessee. 341

munity, and through this they found out what was going on about
the neighborhood. If a party of rebels came along toward a house
and was seen by a woman she would run to the next house, perhaps
a mile distant, and so would pass the news from house to house.
By this means these rebel troops would likely be located if they
should happen to stay overnight in the neighborhood, and our
friend in the w^oods would know where they were and look after
them.

I had heard, after leaving Dandridge, that our Regiment had
been attacked by the enemy in the morning, and to satisfy myself
as to the truth of it, when night came on I got my party together —
ten of our friends, who had good horses, and six of my com-
rades— and we started for the river, six miles away.

On arriving at the river, a short distance above Dandridge, I
was completely surprised. As far as I could see up the river, on
the north side, there lay the largest body of rebel troops that I
had ever seen. Their camps stretched along the river opposite
to w^here I was standing, and not a mile away. Not knowing the
whereabouts of my Regiment, I was completely cut off from them.
We turned our horses' heads to the interior and up the country,
and cautiously moved, stopping at the houses of the Union people
on the way. My friends knew these people, who were mostly old
folks, women and children. The information I particularly de-
sired was to find out if there were any of the rebels on my side
— south — of the river. To be taken prisoner while commanding
a party of bushwhackers, would be no joke; hence the caution.

The grapevine telegraph had been working all day. They had
located two men of the rebel infantry who had come from the
opposite side of the river to see some friends. These we took on
our trip up. I had with me a Mr. Swan, a prominent citizen of
Beaver Dam, who was anxious to know^ if his plantation had been
cleaned out. On arriving at his place he found that what he had
anticipated was all too true. On viewing the destruction of his
property from our side of the river he became crazed. He raised
his cane in the air, galloped his horse down the road, and yelled
at the top of his voice that he could lick the whole rebel army and
that he would hang his brother Tom. He knew his brother was
in the rebel army, on the other side of the river, and it was he
who had led the party over to wipe out his plantation. We started

342 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

after Mr. Swan, caught up to him, and made him prisoner for our
own safety.

There were several fords of the river below us, and it was very
likely that we could be heard over there, and a force crossing
below us would very speedily end our careers. If they had force
enough they would hang us instead of taking us prisoners of war.
My friends knew a trail which we took going back, and feeling
our way cautiously found our way to Derrick's camp safely. We
were pretty well protected, on account of the inhabitants generally
being friendly to our side. The rebels knew that they had a poor
chance of getting back to their camps if they crossed the river in
small parties, and they were very cautious.

After being hidden in the mountains during the daytime for
several days, raiding at nighttime and capturing horses, we heard
continuous heavy firing. Mr. Swan informed me that the sounds
came from about Mossy Creek, nine miles below Dandridge, alto-
gether about fifteen miles from where we were stationed. I told
him that I must get to my Regiment at all hazards, and he prom-
ised he would take me there. I had in my possession two prisoners
and sixteen horses. The whole of Longstreet's corps were be-
tween us and our forces.

We started, taking our chances by traveling in the daytime, and
ai; noon reached Sevierville, and about the middle of the night
arrived in the neighborhood of Mossy Creek, where the fighting
took place. Next morning we located our camp. Our Colonel
had given us up, thinking that we were in prison or completely
wiped out.

While camping at Sevierville, on the south side of the French
Broad River, the Colonel desired to know if the enemy were any-
where on the south side and within fifteen miles to the east. On
that same day he had had an interview with several Union men
from that neighborhood — fifteen or twenty miles above — who had
informed him of the presence of the enemy. Their reports were
not satisfactory to him, and wishing to have more reliable informa-
tion, I was ordered to go with a small party and see for myself.

As quickly as possible we started to go as far as Muddy Creek,
about fifteen or twenty miles above Sevierville. It was a dark
night, just suiting our purpose. We started about lo o'clock, and
after traveling about five miles we halted. I advised my com-

Scoittino; in East Tciiiicssd

343

rades of the nature of the scout, also that Colonel Palmer expected
that we would have a brush with the enemy, and that it was likely
we would be captured, but if one of us escaped he must get back
to Sevierville as quickly as possible, that the Colonel might know
the condition of affairs up the river.

Placing a man about a hundred yards in the rear and another
in the front, we started, cautiously feeling our way as we went.
After going about two miles, expecting every moment to be chal-
lenged by the enemy, the man on the advance halted until we came
up. He informed me that horses were in the woods, on the left of
the road and to the front. We cautiously went back about fifty
yards and halted. I left my horse and went forward to recon-
noiter, imagining at the same time what it could be. It could not
be an enemy, for we would have been challenged by a picket, and
it could not be that the horses were hidden there, for they are
generally hidden far from a road. I got into the woods and dis-
tmctly heard the movements of horses, one or two of them whin-
nying. The night was very dark, and suddenly I came to what I
supposed was a wagon wheel, and walked around it, only to dis-
cover that I had walked around and through a battery of four
pieces, limbered up, with horses hitched.

It was to my mind the strangest thing I ever heard tell of.
Directly I came to a house, but not a living creature was to be seen.
I found a door which was shut, but not locked. I opened it cau-
tiously, and found a number of men sleeping on the floor, one of
whom I awoke, inquiring who was there. If I can remember
rightly, the answer came, "Gerard's Battery, U. S.'-' "You are my
prisoners," I said. He called to the Adjutant to get up and strike
a light. The Adjutant went to the fireplace and soon had a light.
The officer inquired who I was, and after being satisfied, I in-
formed him as to the nature of my business. He informed me th'at
I would find the enemy about a mile and a half from there. I
explained to him how I had gotten into his camp. He inquired
of the Adjutant how that could be, and was told by him that he
had pickets at the other end of the camp, but none on the lower
end. They talked generally in a foreign tongue.

Here was a camp, a battery of four pieces ready for action,
with apparently no support, no picket out excepting on one
side of the camp, with the nearest United States troops seven

344 History of the Fifteenth Peiinsyhania Cavalry.

miles distant. And where were the men? I informed the
officer that I would like him to send an officer with me to the
picket, where there was a non-commissioned officer and two men,
and another man about a hundred yards out.

After explaining as best I could, for it was with difficulty that
they understood me, the necessity of keeping a sharp lookout for
miy return and not to fire on us, I started again, leaving the picket
behind me, not expecting to meet the enemy for several miles.

Nothing eventful occurred until we arrived at our goal — Muddy
Creek — about ten or fifteen miles from camp, at about 2 o'clock in
the morning. Muddy Creek is a stream about as wide as Chestnut
Street from house to house, with a foot log across. There was a
house on one side of the road. I thought I would rest a few
minutes before sending a man back to report to the Colonel that
all was clear to that point.

I placed a picket at the foot log and one on the road, and went to
the house, got the old man out of bed, and he informed me that he
did not think there were any of the rebels in the neighborhood.
I sat down outside the porch for about a minute, when the man
at the creek fired his gun. My men were ready in a mom.ent. An
old man had crossed the creek to tell his neighbor that a party of
rebels from the other side of the river were then in his house ; that
they had taken everything they could carry that was of any use to
them and also his son. He was surprised to find Union cavalry
there.

We dashed across the creek and up to the house. It was getting
lighter — the day had broken. The women folks, very much ex-
cited, were out on the porch. I got the information that the rebels
had gone half an hour before the old man had left the house ; in
fact, they had kept him a prisoner until they had left.

Under the circumstances, I could not get a man to go back to
the Regiment with the report. We followed the rebels to the ford
of the river, six miles away, where there was a house. The people
Vk'ho lived there did not hear the rebels cross or recross. The boys
wanted a brush with them badly, after the strain they had been
under all night. We took our way back leisurely, and met the
Regiment going up to where I had been. The Colonel was not in
a very good humor at my failure to send a man back. But what
could I do?

THE CHEROKEE INDIAN RAID.

CORP. \VM. SPANG, COMPANY E, PHILADELPHIA.

ON December 3, 1863, the greater portion of our Regiment
left camp in Sequatchie Valley and was ordered to go,
with five days' rations, as part of a force to relieve General
Burnside, at Knoxville, Tenn. We marched twenty-five miles,
then rested at Kingston. Left Kingston on December 4th and
halted near Loudon. We left Loudon on December 6th for
Knoxville, and encamped near that place about 10 o'clock at night.
We could not find anything to make fire with except green cedar
boughs.

On December 7th the command left Knoxville and marched
about thirty miles. I was then detailed for vedette duty. On De-
cember 8th we crossed the mountains, and on the 9th marched
vmtil about 5 p.m., dismounted, rested in the valley and fed our
horses. We then prepared to cross Cove Mountain, in order to
save a circuitous march of forty miles or more. We watered our
horses and tightened their girths, and the order was then given by
Capt. Chas. M. Betts that in case we wore our overcoats to be
sure and have our equipments strapped outside and to be ready
for any emergency, as we might be surprised at any moment. The
order was then given to advance, and about 6 p.m. we began
ascending the mountain, Col. Wm. J. Palmer leading the main
body.

We found it to be one of the most toilsome journeys that was
ever undertaken by any body of cavalrymen, as we were obliged
to lead our horses, single file, up the terribly rocky and steep trail,
horses falling, and men stumbling and swearing the entire length
of the line. We were dripping with perspiration through constant
walking, not daring to discard our overcoats for fear of delay or
surprise. Such was the intense darkness of the forest -that we were
not able to see our hands before our faces. After marching
about eight hours, having lost the trail twice, we indeed felt our-

345

346 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

selves a forlorn hope. At last we arrived on a fair level about
I A.M., gathered the stragglers and took a rest for a few minutes.
We pressed onward along the crest for a number of miles, and
long before the break of day began the descent.

The mountaineer scouts lighted their long pine torches and led
the column down the trail single file. The men bumped against the
horses and the horses bumped against the men. As we moved
down the wild mountain trail I thought the column resembled an
immense serpent, with every vertebra in its back in violent action,
winding its way into the darkness of the forest.

I was very thirsty, as my canteen had been emptied two hours
before, and my horse kept licking my frosty saber hilt at every op-
portunity as he bumped against my back. However, after an
unusually long, toilsome and continuous march, we succeeded in
getting to the base of the mountain. Immediately we noticed a
very beautiful stream of spring water rushing from the mountain
base. We hurriedly half watered our famished and hungry
horses, then mounted and assembled for the combat.

The order was given to charge. We drove the spurs into our
horses and rushed forward for a quarter mile, surprised the Indian
pickets along the ridge, and then wheeled to the left and into the
meadow^s. Just in our front and on the hillside, about seventy
yards beyond, was the Indian camp, and between it and our-
selves was a deep creek, about thirty feet wide, and back of the
Indian settlement was an immense forest.

The first battalion, counted into sets of four, dismounted, and
under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Lamborn, advanced
under a fierce fire. The Indian war whoop resounded throughout
the forest as they gave us several volleys, wounding Capt. Chas.
^I. Betts and Capt. George S. Clark. We then charged along
the meadow, waded through the creek, breast deep, climbed up the
hills and into the Indian camp.

There were the blazing fires and the corn cakes baking, just
ready to eat; so we gobbled them from out the frying pan, and
finding no Indians in the huts, we started out and fought them
until we had driven them away into the dense forest and we could
no longer hear their war whoop.

After about four hours' fighting we returned and went into
their tents. We found bags of dried apples, salt, blankets and

The Cherokee Raid. 347

sheepskins. John Benner, of our company, beat the tattoo on
their drums, then took out his camp knife and cut out the heads.
In their surprise and hurry they left behind about fifteen horses
tied to the stakes. I destroyed, by striking against the trees,
twenty rifles, as 'they were of no possible use to us, and then we
set fire to the Indian camp and left the place with the boys
shouting the war whoop.

We left Sequatchie Valley on December 3d, and were without
tents the entire campaign. My recollection is that I was in the
saddle daily on that noted campaign, which lasted seventy days, as
the last of our party arrived at Chattanooga about March 3, 1864.
The Regiment went into camp at Rossville, Ga., and I was put on
courier duty at the foot of Lookout Mountain to carry dispatches
to Gen. "Joe" Hooker.

FIGHTING CHEROKEE INDIANS.

CORP. JAMES W. OVER^ COMPANY G^ PITTSBURG, PA.

ON December 3.. 1863, we were sent to the relief of Burnside
at Knoxville, and were among the first troops to reach him.
Some Cherokee Indians from a reservation in North Caro-
hna, who adhered to the Confederacy, had -crossed the Smoky
Mountains into East Tennessee, forming a camp near their base,
and were making incursions into the valleys and despoiling the
Union people of their substance.

We were ordered to disperse them, and Colonel Palmer, taking
with him a part of the Regiment, crossed an almost impassable
mountain and reached their rear, while he sent a detachment to
attack them in front. He hoped to surprise them, and his advance
guard was ordered to charge the camp. Unfortunately, some of
the Indians discovered us before it was reached, and gave the
alarm. We soon caught a glimpse of their camp, on a wooded
bench of the mountain, with a narrow and tortuous trail leading
to it, making a mounted charge impossible, and we halted, waiting
for further orders.

On the other side of a rocky mountain creek there was a small
clearing, the only point from which a full view of the camp could
be had. It was necessary for someone to cross this creek, in full
view of the enemy, and make a reconnoisance before an attack
could be made. I know that if all of the advance guard felt as I
did about it, none of them were anxious to be detailed for that
duty. As soon as the Colonel arrived, however, he put spurs to
his horse, crossed the stream with the enemy's bullets striking the
water all around him, rode out into the field, wheeled his horse,
facing the camp, and as coolly as if reviewing the Regiment on
dress parade, except that his head involuntarily dodged as the
minies zipped by, made the necessary observations and returned
to us unharmed.

The Regiment was then dismounted, and a brisk fight from
348

Fighting Cherokee Indians. 349

behind trees, rocks and fallen timber, in regular Indian fashion,
ensued. The enemy seemed to think it necessary to accompany
every shot with a genuine war whoop, which must have interfered
with their aim, as they only wounded two of our men — Captains
Betts and Clark.

When the enemy discovered a detachment of our men working
its way around their flank, they abandoned their camp and took
to the mountain, hiding as quickly and successfully as a flock of
frightened partridges. The people in that section of East Tennes-
see considered that skirmish one of the greatest battles of the war,
and if sound were the only measure of a great battle it certainly
was, as every discharge of a musket or carbine echoed through the
gorges and sounded in the valleys like the discharge of a full bat-
tery of artillery.

The next day Companies G and H, under the command of Cap-
tain McAllister, started in pursuit of the Indians, who were cut-
ting their way, by an abandoned trail across the mountains, to
North Carolina. A body of mounted East Tennessee Home
Guards, dressed in butternut, joined us, and had we met a regular
Confederate cavalry force we could not have distinguished friend
from foe.

Our pursuit led us by a narrow trail through a thick forest, and
fearful of an ambuscade we dismounted, formed in skirmish line,
and with great difficulty advanced through laurel, growing close
to the ground, so tangled and thick that the Indians might have
successfully concealed themselves underneath. About dusk we
reached a farm at the foot of the mountains, and halted at the
farmhouse, where we saw the enemy near the summit of the moun-
tains, pushing forward as fast as possible. They were far beyond
the range of our carbines, and as their position was such that a
night attack could not be made with any hope of success, the
pursuit was abandoned.

The command had become separated in the advance, and some
of us were sent in different directions to bring in those who had
not reported. As it was getting quite dark, and there was no
assurance that some of the Indians might not be lurking in the
immediate vicinity, the duty assigned to us was somewhat perilous
— at least this was my opinion as I dodged from tree to tree, scan-
ning the woods for friend or foe and calling loudly for my lost

350 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

comrades. Not finding them, after a short time I returned to the
farmhouse, and discovered that the command had started by the
trail through the forest for the place where our horses had been
left.

I was alone, and it is needless to say that double-quick time was
made by me along that trail, or that I expected any moment to
see the stalwart form of an Indian looming up before me in the
darkness, with evil intent, to rob me of my scalp. I made such good
time that I reached the command just as it was moving, and it
was with a great sigh of relief I mounted my horse and joined
mv comrades.

THE PURSUIT AND CAPTURE OF GENERAL VANCE

SERG. E. W. ANDERSON, COMPANY M, PHCENIXVILLE^ PA.

ON or about the I2tl.i of January, 1864, Gen. Robert B. Vance
left Asheville, N. C, in command of a Confederate brigade
of about 700 men, consisting of cavalry and infantry,
crossed over the Smoky Mountains into East Tennessee, and made
a descent on Sevierville (county seat of Sevier County, Tenn.),
where he captured a wagon train and its escort, out from Knox-
ville, Tenn., for forage. They started back with the prisoners, a
number of citizens who had been evading Confederate service,
and all the horses they could capture in that vicinity.

Our Regiment, with part of the Tenth Ohio, was encamped
on the night of the 13th inst. at Jim Evans' plantation, seventeen
niiles distant, on the French Broad River.

Early in the evening "boots and saddles" sounded, and we
started on our way to Sevierville, reaching that place at the first
light of dawn. The advance squad, under Sergeant Lyon, suc-
ceeded in capturing two citizens and two Confederate officers at
Mr. McNutt's plantation, thus preventing them from giving
knowledge of our pursuit. Here we fed our horses, breakfasted
and then passed along up the Smoky Mountains, following the
waters of Pigeon Creek. The citizens in this vicinity, loyal LTnion-
ists, had stopped the progress of the Confederates by felling heavy
■timber across the narrow gorges, and were greatly elated when
they discovered that we were in hot pursuit of "'our mutual foe."

We followed on in this manner, and soon the advance guard was
able to see the rear of the Confederates passing over the distant
hills. Only a short time elapsed before the whole Confederate
command passed in view of the advance guard. The Colonel gave
orders that at the first favorable opportunity the attack would be
made. Ere long the smoke could be seen arising from the valley
across Crosby's Creek, proclaim.ing that the Confederates w^ere
going into camp.

General Vance had decided, when he left Sevierville. to take the
captured wagons to Longstreet, but believing that he was not

351

352 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

pursued, changed his orders, ordering the wagons to proceed up
Crosby's Creek, on the road to Asheville, from whence he came.
The teams, being tired and worn out, had straggled over a distance
of three miles, and some of them had gone about a mile and a half
down Crosby's Creek before they received the orders to change for
Asheville. Feeling certain that he was not pursued, he ordered
his men into camp.

All this time our command was standing on the rise of the
descent to Crosby's Creek watching all these maneuvers. The
Confederate vedette had gone down to the reserve for his dinner,
leaving no one on the lookout. We could plainly see the wagons
coming up the stream, and those in front going into camp, when
the order for the charge was given. With a yell such- as the moun-
tains have never heard before or since, our command fell upon
the Confederates in the center, forcing them up and down the
stream in direst confusion, with little or no resistance.

The fight, to the best of my recollection, lasted but five minutes,
several of the Confederates being killed and wounded ; but a great
surprise was in store for us. With a little squad of men we were
moving among the wounded and dead, and I was taking a revolver
from the pocket of a Confederate officer, when one of the men
called my attention to General Vance and a squad of men, con-
sisting of two aids and two orderlies, advancing toward us. I was
soon in the saddle and demanded their surrender.

We brought the orderlies and officers down, turning them over
to Colonel Palmer, where General Vance made a formal surrender
to him, and then and there gave his parole. During this expedition
we captured about 200 horses, 104 prisoners, including the General
in command, two of his aids and six commissioned officers. We
also recaptured all the wagons and prisoners taken from the Union
army, including the captured citizens, and also a new ambulance
and all its equipments, which we used afterward in our own
Regiment. I was not with the command on the return to Sevier-
ville, and can therefore give no account of that confused and
hard march, having been given charge of the General and all the
commissioned officers who had given their parole, and had there-
fore started in advance of the command.

Under orders from Colonel Palmer we then proceeded to Maj.
Pinkto Toomv's residence, in Sevierville, the Major having been

The Pursuit and Capture of General Vance. 353

captured at early dawn at McNutt's place. We remained two days
at Sevierville, but on the third evening, just at dusk, I was ordered
with a detail to proceed with all the Confederate commissioned
officers who had given their parole to the commanding officer at
Dandridge, twenty-six miles away.

In March, 1889, I had the pleasure of meeting General Vance
at the Patent Office, in Washington, but I had previously received
the following letter from him, dated September 3, 1887:

"Washington, September 3, 1887.
"Serg.' E. W. Anderson :

"Sir, — Illness from July i, 1887, has kept me from answering
your note of iVugust 3d. I was captured at Crosby's Creek, in
Cocke County, Tenn., the 14th of January, 1864, by Colonel Pal-
mer's Regiment. Through a disobedience of orders my rear guard
had come in too near the main body. A mistake had been made by
the advance guard taking the road across the mountain toward
North Carolina, when I intended to turn toward Newport, Tenn.
Thus one-half of the wagon train was down the creek and the other
half up when General Palmer struck my command in the center
from the crossroad. Believing that most of the command was
down the creek, I turned there, but soon after found my mistake.
Nearly the whole of the command was up the creek. Some scouts,
as roving bands called themselves, said to the men, "Now you
had better get out of here." They in that vv^ay created a panic.
If I had been at the upper end of the line I think I could have
rallied the men and formed at the rock fence. When I found that
only a few men were down the creek I passed under a severe fire
around the side of the mountain until I saw Lieutenant Horton,
of my command, sitting against a tree on the rocky knoll. I rode
up to him and asked him where the men were. He made no
answer. Then you demanded my surrender, and I thought you
belonged to a Georgia squad, and I paid no heed until your com-
mand cocked their pieces and presented them almost in my face.
It was then revealed to me that everything in front, up the road
and down, was blue. Seeing no chance to get away I surrendered
to you, and was carried first to jail in Knoxville, then to the
penitentiary in Nashville ; from thence to Camp Chase, where I
stayed two months, and finally to Fort Delaware. On my way to
Fort Delaware I planned the escape of Captain Wright, an account
of which was published in the Philadelphia Times. I could have
got out myself, but would have been missed. Captain Wright was
never missed, and his name was not called at roll call at Fort
Delaware.

"Truly,

"RoBT. B. Vance.""
23

DANDRIDGE, 24TH OF DECEMBER, 1863.

LIEUT. JOHN KNOX MARSHALL, COMPANY F, BOSTON,, MASS.

AFTER the lapse of forty years my recollection of the Dan-
dridge affair consists almost entirely of the part our Regi-
ment took in the fight, and is confined to a few incidents
which may be of interest to our comrades and their children.

The cavalry force in East Tennessee was under the command
of Generals Sturgis and Elliott, and was stationed at or near
Mossy Creek. Receiving information that a considerable force of
the enemy were moving in the direction of Dandridge, General
Elliott moved his command, in an endeavor to cut them off. To
accomplish this purpose part of the command moved toward Dan-
dridge to make a front attack, the remainder being posted in
reserve to cut off their retreat. The Fifteenth belonged to the
latter body. We were posted in a wood on a hill, and our scouts
reported a small body of the enemy dismounted, immediately below
us.

Colonel Palmer obtained permission to capture this party, and
with about ninety men we marched, single file, down a trail through
the woods and through a gate into an open field, where we saw
what appeared to be a party of twenty dismounted men with their
horses. They were situated on a knoll, and were evidently a
picket force. As we entered the field, with Colonel Palmer in
advance, we charged them with the saber.

As we were obliged to enter the field singly, our force was
scattered. Our cheers brought the rebels to their guns, and we
were greeted with a volley. This did not halt us, but we saw a
sight that caused us to beat a rapid retreat, for in the road, at a
halt, was at least a brigade of the enemy. Colonel Palmer with
his saber waved a retreat, which obliged those in advance to
describe a half circle, and which caused us to pass in front of the
enemy, who now tore down fences and gave us a rapid pursuit.
As our exit was through the gate or over the fence, they gained
354

Dandridge, 24th of December, 1863. 355

on us, and, as a consequence, ten of our men were captured.
Captain Airey's horse wa^ shot and fell on the Captain, holding
him down. Thinking he was shot. Lieutenant Weand, in passing,
offered to take him on his horse, but Airey, responding, "We will
both be taken — save yourself," managed to extricate himself, and
ran for the fence. He did get over but was captured, and died
from the effects of his injuries and prison confinement. My sur-
prise is that so many of us escaped, for our pursuers were so close
that we could hear them swearing at us to halt.

After reaching the woods we re-formed, and the enemy now
found themselves at a disadvantage. We were reinforced and
had them in the field, and this, and our determined attack, drove
them back. Word now reached the command that the movement
of the main body had been unsuccessful and that our troops were
in retreat, which was successfully accomplished. The entire move-
ment was a failure, but through no want of gallant fighting.

I can recall the experiences of only a few of our men. Sergeant
Ramsey, Company M, who had charge of the advance guard,
sighted the enemy and halted in the woods, awaiting their ap-
proach. In a short time William F. Simons, Company M, who was
on picket, came in on a gallop, with the information that a bat-
talion of the enemy was advancing. A charge was ordered on
their advance, which drove them back.

Abraham W^ Thomas, Company M, captured a prisoner, and
was bringing him back when he met H. H. Piatt, Company F,
and handing him his man, told him to take him to Colonel Palmer.
Thomas, in his effort to find Ramsey, was cut off, and had to
retreat. In going through the woods he was knocked from his
horse and almost stunned. In trying to make his escape on foot
he was hailed by Robert Coombs, Company F, who also had been
dismounted. They ran through a corn field, but were run down
and forced to surrender. After being deprived of their arms and
overcoats, they were marched to the rear, where they met Captain
Airey, Company L; Sergeant Drinkhouse, Company L; Joseph
Pontius, Company M; Thomas Sale, Company M; Joseph Rue.
Company F; Benjamin Balmer, Company A; George D. Watt,
Company G; John Moredock, Company G. and several others
whose names I cannot recall.

In the retreat from the enclosed field, Alvin Haines, Company

356 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

M, having had his horse shot, started on foot for the woods, but
seeing his escape hopeless, concealed himself in a heap of brush
at the foot of a large tree, the enemy charging past him yelling
and shouting at our retreating men. He was there for some time,
when he heard the welcome sound of his comrades, who had re-
formed in the woods, and were now driving back the enemy.
Rejoining our men, he found his horse had made a successful
retreat, but was dying as Haines reached him.

On the general retreat, Colonel Brownlow, of the First Tennes-
see Cavalry, rode up and down the line and swore that his regi-
ment should not retreat another foot. The resolute determination
of this young officer filled his men with courage, and they rallied
to his standard, supported by the Fifteenth, and the pursuers
came to a halt, and the battle of Dandridge was over.

Colonel Palmer has said of this charge that it was a tactical
blunder, for which he alone was responsible ; that he led the regi-
ment out of the thick woods too close on to the advance guard to
permit the strength of the enemy's force to be developed until too
late. Seeing no larger force of the enemy along the high road in
our front than he had in his regiment, he ordered the charge on
their flank, across an open field, where the delay in getting through
the first fence allowed time for the enemy, which proved to be a
main body instead of a small detachment, to recover from their
first panic and use the road fence for better aim.

Although when re-inforced we regained in twenty minutes the
field and the road and heights beyond, he has never ceased to
regret this unfortunate charge and the loss and suffering of the
noble fellows it entailed. All that can be said in its defense, if
anything, is that first and last, and in the long run, the habit
formed by this cavalry regiment (in serving as the eyes and ears
of the army during its constant reconnoissances of the enemy's
country) of charging at first sight pretty nearly everything hos-
tile that it met, was, without doubt, chiefly responsible for the
small loss it incurred throughout so many active campaigns.

Colonel Palmer saved ninety per cent, of his men — a less wise
or capable officer would have lost that number, for we were all in
danger of being killed or captured.

WOUNDED AND LEFT TO DIE IN REBEL HANDS.

WM. M. PALMER, COMPANY L, HADDONFIELD, N. J.

IN December, 1863, the Regiment started out to relieve Burn-
side in East Tennessee. On the loth day of December
we had a severe engagement with the Cherokee Indians,
under the command of Colonel Thomas, who was their Indian
agent before the war, and who induced them to enlist in the
rebel army. They were encamped in the valley at the base of
the Smoky Mountains, near Gatlinsburg, East Tennessee. As the
ground was not suitable to charge them, we dismounted, and a
brisk fight ensued, from behind trees and fallen timbers, in regular
Indian fashion. They seemed to think it necessary to accompany
every shot with a genuine war whoop. This fight lasted some
two hours, when we drove them from their position into the
mountains, leaving their camp in our possession. A number of
fine horses were captured and some Indians killed and wounded.
On our side, Capts. Chas. M. Betts and Clark were wounded.

On the 29th of December, 1863. the Regiment with several
other regiments of cavalry and a battery were attacked at Mossy
Creek, East Tennessee. The forces of the enemy were commanded
by the rebel General Martin, and consisted of some 5000 troops,
cavalry, mounted infantry and artillery, known as the "Texas
Rangers of the Lone Star Division." The battle commenced in
the morning. They made several charges, all of which were
repulsed, with considerable loss to them. Late in the afternoon
reinforcements arrived, and they were driven from the field.
After each repulse they renewed their charges. Their object was
to take our battery. We advanced from our position in front to
m.eet them, using our carbines, and in a final charge drove them
from the field. The battle lasted until the evening.

In the engagement I saw a mounted color-bearer carrying the
headquarters' flag, a yellow ensign, with a large white star in the
center, representing the Lone Star Division of Texas. He was
some distance in advance, and I was desirous of picking him off,

357

358 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

if possible, and to capture the colors. I took a steady aim, fired,
and am sure I hit him. He at once dropped the colors and turned
his horse back into their lines. I was also some distance ahead
of the company, so eager was I to capture the rebel colors.

About that time I was wounded. The horse on which I rode
was a spirited animal that I had captured in the fight with the
Cherokee Indians, and I had a great deal of trouble to manage
him. Just as I received my wound the Regiment made a charge on
the enemy, leaving me in the rear. I still rode my horse, badly
wounded as I was. I noticed near me comrade Charles E. Scheide,
and informed him that I was wounded. He at once assisted me
to get to the old church in the town of Newmarket, East Tennes-
see, which was being used as a Union hospital. We had to go
some three-quarters of a mile to reach it. My horse was very
much excited and gave me trouble. I had ridden about half a
mile when, from loss of blood and pain, my hip being shattered by
the large ball that struck me, I was unable to ride any farther.
Fortunately, one of our ambulances came in sight from the battle-
field, filled with wounded. It stopped to take me on. I under-
took to dismount, when I found I was unable to stand. I was then
lifted from my horse to the ambulance, and with the rest of the
wounded was taken to the hospital. In a short time the wounded
from the various commands kept coming in and took up every
available place in the church. I was placed on the floor, near
the pulpit steps.

In a short time Adjutant Lingle was brought in, wounded
through the body. He was laid alongside of me. He was a brave
and efficient officer and one of the most lovable comrades in the
Regiment. Elias Deeter, Company L, was among the number
of wounded brought in, he having received a wound in the left
hip. Dr. Alexander, Regimental Surgeon, was on hand to attend
to those requiring his services. He examined my wound, ran a
probe in it to find the ball, but was unable to locate it. The ball
had struck me near the spine, run around and fractured the left
iliac bone and lodged in my groin — a wound similar, I am told,
to that of President Garfield. The doctor not finding the ball, I
was afraid that mortification might set in and eventually kill me.
I said to the doctor, "Would it not have been better if that rebel
who shot me had had more powder in his cartridge and shot it

Wounded and Left to Die in Rebel Hands. 359

clean through?" "Oh, no !" he repHed, "it might have been worse
for yon. General Scott, up to the time of his death, had a ball in
his shoulder that he received in the War of 1812."

Colonel Palmer has said of this skirmish, that the mounted
charge made when his Adjutant-Lieutenant Lingle was killed by
his side was a mistake ; that the ground favored a mounted charge,
but that there proved to be more of the enemy posted (on foot)
behind the barn and other farm buildings at the foot of the hill
than were apparent when he ordered the charge. The advance
should have been dismounted and sent out as skirmishers until
the situation had been better developed.

Our fifteen days' scout was a hard one, fording icy rivers and on
the go night and day, so that both the men and horses were tired
and worn out, though my being wounded helped me to get rested.
All night long the surgeons were kept busy, amputating limbs and
dressing wounds. About 4 a.m. Dr. Alexander visited Adjutant
Lingle, who seemed to be unconscious. He shook him, whereupon
he opened his eyes, but remained silent. When the doctor asked
him if he was aware that he could not live much longer, he under-
took to reply, but in a few minutes he calmly passed away.

I laid alongside of him for some two hours before he was re-
moved for burial in the cemetery adjoining the church. General
Foster, commanding the forces in East Tennessee, ordered
all the sick and wt)unded to be removed to Knoxville when his
command took up their march for that place. Unfortunately,
owing to their not being sufficient ambulances to take us, Elias
Deeter and myself, with two other soldiers, were left to fall into
the hands of the enemy.

About two hours after General Foster's command had left,
General Longstreet's command marched into Newmarket and
encamped outside of the town. Not being able to get away, we had
to make the best of it alone. There was no one to help us, and
we were quite helpless. The fire in the stove had gone out, the
weather was cold, and during the night we had a severe snow-
storm. The two large doors of the church blew open, and the
snow drifted in and piled up in different parts of the room. We
had to endure this until next morning, when about 10 a.m. the
sexton of the church came in for a chair that he had loaned to the
doctor, not knowing that anyone had been left there overnight.

360 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

"My God!" he exclaimed, when he saw us. "Is it possible that
you have been here all this time during the terrible storm we had
last night, with no fire and nothing to eat ?" He quickly built a fire
and said, "Now, I will see about getting you soldiers something
to eat?" He being a Union man, soon had other Union citizens
interested, who came to our aid. It was not long before a good
breakfast was brought in for each of us, which was the first meal
we had eaten since the day before. A citizen, a Union doctor,
attended to dressing our wounds. Medicines were scarce and hard
to get, so we were informed. All the attention that could possibly
be given us we received, and we certainly were very profuse in
our thanks to those that aided us.

Some of Longstreet's men paid us a visit one day. They were
quite sanguine about their success. Some had enlisted for eight
years, or during the war. It was not long before it was reported
to General Longstreet that we were Yankee soldiers. He sent a
guard to take us as prisoners of war and guard us. There was
not much guarding to do. None of us was able to stand, let alone
try to make our escape. A rebel surgeon called one day to look
at us, and told us he would give us the necessary attention, but
that was the last we saw of him. If it had not been for the
citizens and doctor, I don't know what we would have done.

We remained at Newmarket until the i8th day of January,
1864, when we were all ordered to be sent to Morristown, Tenn.,
eighteen miles east of Newmarket. Mr. and Mrs. Moffit, the
most prominent and wealthy family in Newmarket, had been
very kind to us, and when they learned that we had been ordered
away, came to bid us good-by. When we were put in the ambu-
lance, Mrs. Moffit told the driver that she wished him to stop at
her house, as he had to pass it en route. She wished to give us
some luncheon to take with us, as we had a long and rough ride
before us to Morristown. A rebel surgeon — I think the same one
who promised to give us medical attention, who was on General
Longstreet's stafif — was standing by Mrs. Moffit when she told the
driver to stop at her house. The driver stopped at the house, and
the same rebel surgeon was in front of the residence. He asked
the driver why he stopped, who informed him that Mrs. Moffit
desired to give us some lunch to take with us. The surgeon, in
a very rough manner, told the driver to go on, which he did.

Wounded and Left to Die in Rebel Hands. 361

Deeter and I were in one ambulance, lying on our backs. We
could see out of the back of the wagon. We had gone but a short
distance when I saw a colored man running in the road, carrying
a package in his hand, and trying to attract our attention. I in-
formed the driver, who stopped, and the colored man came up and
said Mrs. Moffit sent "dis lunch for de soldiers." We returned our
thanks, and divided with the driver. After some four hours'
tedious driving we arrived at Morristown. Deeter not being able
to wear his boots, which had been put in with him when we left
Newmarket, when we were carried out to the hospital, the driver,
taking a fancy to them, appropriated them for himself. Deeter
was minus boots until we arrived at the hospital in Baltimore,
some three months after. We remained here about two wrecks,
meeting with poor treatment and getting but poor rations, con-
sisting of a cup of rye coffee, no sugar or milk, a small piece of
pork or poor meat, about two inches square, and one piece of
heavy bread. W^e got this twice a day. The rebels in the same
ward lying opposite us had chicken, chicken soup, roast beef, vege-
tables, and, in fact, all they wished.

From Morristown we were sent to Bristol, a distance of eighty-
eight miles. We were laid on the floor of a freight car, while
some fifty other Union prisoners had to stand, there being no
room for them to lie down. We traveled over a very rough
road, and were some six hours en route — a very painful and
tiresome journey. We remained at Bristol for the greater part
of the day — one-half of Bristol is in Tennessee, the other half
in Virginia.

From Bristol we were sent to Lynchburg, Va., 244 miles distant.
Here we were taken to the Provost Marshal's office, and with
the rest of the prisoners were then put in jail. I was put
in a cell and laid on the damp floor, being unable to stand, let
alone able to make my escape. I was locked up, as were the other
prisoners, until 5 p.m. next day, when we were sent to the far-
famed city of Richmond, \a., 142 miles farther from Lynchburg.
We arrived on the 17th day of January, 1864, and were put in the
Rebel Hospital No. 21, a short distance from Libby Prison. The
rough treatment and tedious and painful ride from East Tennessee
told on me very severely. I had been here about a month, when
the ball in my hip was located and removed by the rebel surgeons,

362 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

after being in me two months and nine days. The shattered bone
remained, suppurating freely.

In this hospital the prisoners were put in different wards. Each
floor was a ward. It had at one time been a tobacco warehouse.
Here we fared poorly, getting sometimes two meals a day; and
sometimes we would get a small cup of coffee, no sugar or milk,
a piece of heavy corn bread, a small piece of pork and a half-pint
of rice soup. Half the time the soup was scorched, with plenty of
rice worms floating on the top. No matter how sick we were,
we got no better fare than this. We had to eat this or starve.
The corn bread would bring on diarrhea, and almost every day
I have seen five or six men die, in the different wards. I have
seen on an old straw cot two persons with two different kinds
of disease. It seemed that the rebels wanted to get rid of as many
by death as they could. That would mean so many Yankees less.

The smallpox broke out in the ward. The men on each side
of me got it, and I laid for two days alongside of them before they
were removed to a hospital outside of the city, but I escaped it.

One day there was received in our ward about 150 of Colonel
Dahlgren's command, who were wounded. They had been cap-
tured in making a raid on Richmond. One day one of them was
sitting on the window sill eating his ration of corn bread, when
the rebel guard passing on his beat ordered him away, to which he
replied "that he was doing no harm where he was," and at this the
rebel fired at him, the ball passing through his head, killing him
instantly.

While in this hospital I saw Joseph Squires and Milne, a brother
to the one in our Regiment. We remained in Richmond until the
i6th day of April, when, with 565 Union prisoners, we were put
on board the rebel flag-of-truce boats, "Allison" and "General
Shultz," and taken down the James River to City Point, to be
exchanged. We were put on board the Federal flag-of-truce
boats "New York" and "Express." Here, for the first time in
three months, I saw the American flag floating to the breeze, a
very inspiring sight indeed. We arrived in Baltimore the i8th of
April, 1864, having been prisoners of war for three months, and
were sent to the Jarvis U. S. Hospital in that city, where we re-
ceived the best of attention. Our treatment while prisoners was
cruel and unwarranted.

A PECULIAR SITUATION.

FIRST LIEUTENANT AND COMMISSARY, CHAS. S. HINCHMAN,
PHILADELPHIA, PA.

THE first campaign our regiment made in East Tennessee,
in the winter of 1863-64, furnished many instances of
hair-breadth escapes and exciting situations. Many of
these were in connection with the small scouting parties under
non-commissioned officers that were continually on the move, but
on the evening of January 7, 1864, Colonel Palmer took the regi-
ment on one of our usual night rides and we had the unusual
experience of looking into the camp of a division of rebel cavalry
of several thousand men, under the command of General John
T. Morgan, at present the senator from the State of Alabama.

They were encamped on the north bank of the French Broad
River, at Denton's Ford, about four miles above Dandridge. I
cannot recall the roads and trails used by Colonel Palmer to reach
the south bank of that river just opposite to where they had their
camps, but we struck the first of them about eight o'clock in the
evening, in time for the ''tattoo" roll call. Not over two hundred
and fifty yards from where we sat on our horses were the first
of their camp fires, which extended back farther than we could
see. Back of us were high hills, which, while they acted as a
screen for us, were too steep to climb and were crossed by few
roads or trails so that, had our presence been discovered, there
was no chance of escape except to cut our way out. It was an
every day occurrence for us to witness the roll calls among our
own troops but it was a novel one to see our enemies fall into line,
unarmed, and go through the same routine. When their bugles
sounded the "assembly" our column halted and sat quietly on our
horses looking at the unusual sight. The rebel First Sergeants
took their stations on the parade ground and distinctly across the
river we heard their orders "Fall in." Then the butternut dressed
soldiers fell into line ; the tallest men on the right and those who
had the most mischief in them were on the left. The right was
quiet, sedate and orderly as soldiers should be ; the "left" was in

363

364 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

confusion as usual, pushing, playing tricks on each other, and in
one instance we saw one dance a "hoe-down" while another patted
"Juba," of course in such a way that their First Sergeant did not
see. As "tattoo" sounded, came across to us the order "atten-
tion," and as the last note of the call ceased, the roll of each
company was called to which the answer "here" was returned.
We sat on our horses quietly taking in the scene. No loud talk-
ing was done. The thoughts of most of them were evenly
divided between the picturesque scene across the river and the
possibilities of being discovered before a safe retreat could be
made. By the time "taps" were sounded the camps had quieted
down but still we waited. Soon, from the front, could be heard
the sound of oars as if the rower was making as Httle noise as
possible and then came the boat in sight, in which were four
men who were quickly made prisoners. They were on their
way to a dance to be held at a house back from the river and had
slipped off unobserved by their officers. One of the prisoners
told us of another boat load that was coming over for the same
purpose and told us of the signal the first party was to make to
show the way was clear. We made the signal and soon had four
more prisoners.

It took us a long time to get away from where we were ; at
least it seemed long. Among the men it was understood that at
each end of the road on which we were, a superior force of
rebels were encamped, and our way out was over a trail leading
across the hills to our back. There was considerable marching
back and forth until it was located and then a hard climb and
march, which took up most of the night, when we settled down
for a few hours' rest at Squire Bremer's, near the mouth of
Muddy Creek.

MY ESCAPE FROM ANDERSONVILLE.

COM Y-SERG. BEN. F. BALMER, COMPANY A, HARRISBURG, PA.

1WAS captured on the 29th of January, 1864, on the French
Broad River, near Fairgarden. I was with a scouting party,
under Sergeant Lyon, which was sent across the country to
find the enemy. We found a whole brigade of them, under
General Harrison. They were Tennesseeans, and back of them
was the division of General Armstrong. We probably had twenty
men, but when we struck their vedette, having no idea of what
\vas beyond, we charged in our usual style, and drove the reserve
picket guard back to their lines. It was then their turn to charge,
and when we saw it was a larger force than we had calculated on
finding, we got out as fast as we could, with scores of them at our
heels, calling on us to surrender. My horse was soon shot. I had
emptied my revolver and my saber was shot away, and so I had
nothing with which to defend myself. I ran for all I was worth, and
kept looking over my shoulder to see how near they were, and
when I saw one of them club his revolver to hit me on the head,
I concluded the time had come to stop and threw up my hands
in token of surrender, but I got the butt of his revolver all right,
and saw the steeples of Richmond in that minute.

One of them said I was "the nerviest Yankee he had ever seen,
that he had emptied five revolvers at me and that I kept telling
him that I wouldn't stop till I had to." They kept telling me that
they were going to shoot me. I was afraid some crazy fool among
them would do so, and made no answer to their threats. This was
only a prelude to their usual custom when a prisoner was captured.
One said he would take my revolver, and did. Another told me
to hand over my watch, and I did, first telling him that I wanted
to keep it, as it belonged to a dead relative, but he simply repeated,
"Hand it over! You'ns take from we'uns." Then one of them
asked if I had any money, and I said, "No." I did have eighteen
dollars, but did not want them to have it. He pointed his pistol
at my head, and said, "Hand it over," and then that went. They

365

366 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

just stripped me of all I had. I asked the Provost Marshal,
Captain Elkins, if I might take the blanket off my horse, and
when he gave his consent I took it and started off, with a guard,
for the river.

We stopped at Indian Run, and I sat down on a foot log to rest,
when along came another, who said he would like to trade boots
with me. Mine were new — I had just drawn them six days before
at Boyd's Creek — and his were a pair of old shoes, tied up with
wire. It was not an even trade, and I wouldn't think of making
such an exchange now, but just then he had a way of persuading
one that it was the best thing to do, and I traded. Then my guard
told me to jump on an old horse he was leading, and just then a
fellow came up who said he wanted to buy my blanket. I told him
that I didn't want to sell, as it was all I had to cover myself with.
He replied that I had better sell it, as he was going to take it any-
how, and he did.

After I had nothing else to lose, my guard told me I was "easy ;
that if I had held on to it and the fellow had laid hands on me
he would have shot him dead." If he had only told me this at the
start .of my trading operations I would have been better off, but
now I had nothing more to lose and was let alone. For all that I
found that my guard, who belonged to the Eighth Texas, was a
jolly good fellow, and it was a pleasure to be with him. When we
crossed the river he stopped to fill his canteen, but I went on, and
fell in with Colonel Lane, commander of a Confederate regi-
ment. We rode together for several miles, and it gives me pleasure
to record the kind and considerate conversation I had with him,
which was such a great contrast to what I had from those who
captured me. When we got to the forks of the road there was the
provost guard, and then the Colonel, bidding me good-by, said,
"Here's where you have to stop."

I spent the balance of the afternoon and part of the evening in
the camp of the Eighth Texas. They were splendid fellows, and
treated me more as an honored guest than as a prisoner, but it
did not last long, for in the evening I was taken on to Dandridge,
the county seat of Jefferson County, and put in the jail. As I was
going up the stairs, the Provost Marshal said to me, "We have
another one of your Regiment. He will come over the river with
Longstreet's Corps."

My Escape from Andcrsonville. 367

I was lying on the floor, with a stone for a pillow, when I
heard them coming, and called out for "the man from the Fif-
teenth," when John H. Aloredock, of Company G, answered. He
had been captured two days before. Each man had issued to
him next morning a small cup of flour, and at the same time the
Provost told us we had to march soon. I had made dough out of
my flour, and slapped it against the outside of the stove to bake,
when he ealled to us to "fall in !" It wasn't done yet, so I wrapped
it in an old quilt I had picked up, and marched off with the
others.

We were witnesses this day to a black deed, done by rebel sol-
diers, and I understand that the like of it had been done by nearly
all the rebel regiments in the field. In our party of prisoners were
six loyal citizens, but they were called "bushwhackers" by our
enemy. The Provost had received an order to "drop them along
the road," which was synonymous to killing them. Among them
was quite a young boy, and the officer, who had some spark of
humanity in him, told the boy that he did not want to kill him,
and the youngster repHed that he did not want to see his father
shot either. The Provost gave them orders to run, and the boy,
his father and another old man got off safely, but the other three
were killed, and after that was done our guard had a hearty laugh
over what to them was a brave deed.

We had the next day another exhibition of one of their traits
of character which cannot be commended. We had walked as far
as Morristown and received another small allowance of flour for
our supper, and one of our guards told Aloredock that he would
have it baked for a dollar, which oft'er Moredock accepted, and
gave him a ten-dollar bill, but the man hasn't got back yet.

We took the cars for Richmond the next day, but stopped at
Bristol long enough to cook some rations and to let Moredock
lose another ten-dollar bill. The officer in command told us that
if we had any money he would send a man to town to buy some
provisions for us, and Moredock produced another ten-dollar bill,
and gave it to him, and when the man got back he was drunk, and
had neither money or anything for us to eat.

At Grand Junction we had to change cars again, and all the
crowd around us were anxious to talk. An Irishman asked me
where I was from, and when I told him Pennsylvania, he shouted.

368 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

"Oh, boys ! that is a good State ! That is where you get your good
butter and apple butter."

When we got to Richmond we were marched up Gary Street
to Pemberton Prison, and were followed by all the children in
the neighborhood, who called us "ragged Yanks" and every other
epithet their brains could think of. It was here I met Abe
Thomas, Joe Bontemps, Joe Rue, Robt. Coombs, Adam Drink-
house, Bev. Chase and Thos. Sale — all from our Regiment. Instead
of being sent North, as we expected, we were put on the cars for
Andersonville. As we came down the stairs from our prison, a
big Baltimore "plug" was handing each one, as he passed, a loaf
of corn bread, but when my turn came he just looked at me and let
me pass without it, so I had nothing to eat till we got to Charlotte,
N. C, where we got hard-tack. The next feeding place was
Augusta, Ga., where each man got a loaf of corn bread, which
was hard enough to sharpen an axe on, and we were then loaded
on the cars again.

Should any of those who read this ever have occasion to travel
in the same manner as we did, I can give a pointer — select one of
the four corners of the car as your place. I had already found
that out, but found this day that a big fellow had already pre-
empted it, and a lively fight was the result, which continued until
the rebel Captain in charge jumped in to^see what was the matter,
and concluding the big fellow was imposing on the little one, gave
me the coveted place.

After constant traveling for six days and nights, with rain most
of the time, we arrived at Andersonville about i o'clock in the
morning. I did not like my new home, and about the only way I
could see to get out of it was to be carried out on a stretcher. I
cannot describe this place. We used to call it the Black Hole of
Calcutta, but there death came quickly, while here it was long
drawn out.

Andersonville was a horrible place. I cannot write of it, and
will leave that to others. Some time after we got there a detail
was called for to assist in the prison butcher-house. I volunteered
at once. I did not know anything about it, but my prison mate,
Joe Rue, was a practical butcher, and he coached me in the theo-
retical work of cutting up a carcass, and did it so well that
Captain Wirz accepted me, and put me on a parole that I would

My Escape from Andcrsonrillc. 369

not try to escape, telling me if I tried it I would surely be recap-
tured, and then he would hang me. Not many did escape at this
time. A good many got away, but were taken again. Every day
the surrounding country around the prison was patrolled by a
keeper with a pack of bloodhounds, and the latter were so well
trained that they would pick up the trail of a prisoner at once and
follow it till he was caught.

I soon became an expert butcher. Frank Knapp, of the
Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, was in our gang, and I found him to
be a man of very kind heart, but about as rough-spoken a man as
one could find. He took kindly to me, and called me "the boy,"
as I was the youngest of our party. The foreman of the bake-
house stopped with us every afternoon ; his first name was Charlie,
and he belonged to a New York regiment, and it was not long
before we three were planning to escape, and at once began prepa-
rations for it. A part of our duties was to wash corn-meal sacks,
and we stole enough of these to piece out our clothing.

I had no pants from the knees down, but one of the boys, from
Allentown, fixed me up. We used the ravelings for thread, and
continued to get sufficient clothing made to make us more com-
fortable, and with a pair of No. 1 1 shoes, which I had taken from
under a dead man's head, I was pretty well togged out. When
Charlie came to us the next day all the details were completed,
and the day selected for our break was Thursday, the 8th of
September, 1864. We baked a big corn pone, and I was selected
to carry it, and when evening came all hands — that is, the three of
us — were ready.

It took neat work to get away from the guard. Charlie and
Knapp had already started, and were out in the darkness whistling
for me, while I waited to get up nerve enough to make the run
for it through the guard line ; but I did it at last, and fairly flew
over the ground carrying my pone, and joined my comrades.
We made good time that night, traveling due north, being guided
by the north star, and on cloudy days we generally got lost.

In trying times how very superstitious we are. One of my
comrades said that in starting on a journey it was good luck to
kill the first snake we saw, but the first one got away. This
was a little depressing, but it did not last long. About 1 1 o'clock
the first night we heard the dogs on our track, but we ran into a

24

370 History of the Fiftccntli Pciinsykania Cavalry.

swamp, by a stream of water, and then kept quiet, listening to
the terrible howling they made, but when they almost had us, they
were called off.

We left Andersonville fairly well armed, as we each took a
sharp butcher knife. A little later one of the colored men we met
— and they were always our ardent friends — got us a gun and
about twenty pounds of powder and shot, and then after that we
found, in the woods, an old gun with a broken barrel, but Charlie
fixed it up so that it m.ade a tolerably good gun. Before we started
from Andersonville the boss of the butcher-pen had a suspicion
that we had made up our minds to escape, and advised us that if
we did go and should meet a man. black or white, to kill him at
once, or we would never get through. It was not necessary to
try this on a colored man, but white ones we were afraid of. and
had the necessity ever risen we would have carried out the boss
butcher's advice.

We did a good deal of wandering. One day, about lo o'clock,
wx came to a fine cotton gin, and stopped a little while to rest and
admire the construction of it ; then we started off, and walked
more swdftly to make up for the time taken for rest. About four
hours later we came to another cotton gin and again rested to
look at it, and the longer we looked the more familiar it became,
and we finally discovered it was the same one we had passed be-
fore, having traveled, like lost people do, in a circle. We marched
generally in corn fields, because they shielded us so well, and for
the watermelons planted in them. In fact, nearly all w^e had to eat
was corn and watermelons, and while they are very good in their
way, when taken as a steady diet they become very monotonous,
and we craved something else.

Charlie was not careful in eating, and swallowed too m.auy
seeds. He got very sick, and it looked as if he was going to make
a "die" of it. I stayed with him, while Knapp went off to a house to
try to get some medicine which would give him relief, and he soon
came back with some pills, cold meat and a member of the Fourth
Georgia Cavalry, who was home on a furlough. We gave Charlie
the pills, Knapp and I ate the cold meat, and then we all had a
friendly talk, as the Georgian told us that we need not be afraid
of him, that he was getting tired of the whole business and would
not give us away. None of us had any idea what the pills were

My Escape from Aiidcrsoiiz'illc. 371

to cure, but Charlie needed medicine and the pills came under
that category, so we gave them to him, and in a few hours he got
better, so that we could again go on the march toward Atlanta,
where Sherman's army was.

The next morning we got into trouble again. The dogs were
running over the plantation and soon got on our trail, and gave us
a chase of about five miles. I kept looking at every tree I passed
to see if they could be climbed, but they were all tall pines, per-
fectly clear of limbs half way up, and I had to abandon that idea
and take my chances, but after a long run the dogs let up on us.
About this time we picked up a negro named Joe, whose home
was at Rome, Ga. Hood's army at this time was all around us,
and we had to hide in an old rag-weed field ; but Joe made friends
v.-ith the colored people, who brought us things to eat and a big jug
of sorghum syrup, which I had to carry. In the evening the colored
people took us to a barn and put us in the hayloft, and the best
meal we had on the trip was right there — roast chicken and custard
pie. That's good at any time, but there is no word in the English
language which can express the taste of it to appetites such as we
had.

We stole three horses from this place and one from the next,
and started again. I had a big one, with a sharp ridge of a back-
bone, on which I sat. and got so sore that I could hardly keep on.
Charlie, who was on a nice fat one, kept calling me to "come on,"
but in three or four hours he got very sore and fell back, and I
took my turn at telling him to "come on." I was all right then,
and we continued our march through the toll-gates, over bridges
and by refugee camps until about 4 o'clock in the morning, when
we dismounted and tied our horses in the woods, and walked a few
miles till we saw a colored man coming with an ox cart, and sent
Joe to find out the news. He told him that the white men were
running a negro that morning, and found the four horses tied in
the woods, and then they knew that some Yankees were around,
and knowing they would be after us, we started again. W'e had
picked up an old musket that was loaded to the brim, and after
going some distance came to a ravine, where we concluded to get
the old load out and put in one we were not afraid of, and getting
to a good spot let her go. The noise it made was simply awful,
and I thought the whole South could hear it, and we got awav

-^^yz history of the Fifteenth Fciiiisyliaiiia Cavalry.

from that place pretty quick. That night we were reinforced by
five more colored men, who wanted to go North with us. It was a
very dark night, and as we came to a house we went into the yard
to get a drink at the well. Just then a man came out of the house to
get a drink also or to see who we were, and when he went back
into the house again two more men came out and went down the
road. We followed, but soon lost them.

Soon after we sent Joe into a hut for information about the
road, but he did not learn much, and while he was reporting to us
we heard the planter ask his slave "who that man was" and "what
he wanted," and the colored fellow replied that he wanted to know
the road to Covington." Then we heard him say, "I'll find out
about this," and "bang !" went his gun in our direction, and "bang !"
v.ent one of our guns at the planter, and "bang!" came another shot
at us. Charlie wanted to stay and fight it out, but the majority
concluded it was better to move, and we did, and soon came to a
river which was- too deep to ford, but we floated over it somehow
and got wet through, and went into camp until morning, when we
resumed our tramp along the bank of the river, so that the sun
would dry our clothes.

Soon we ran slap up against a planter, who was walking along
with an axe over his shoulder, coming from the ferry, and no
doubt he was startled at seeing us, for he said,"H — 1 ! which way ?"
We only said, "Not far," and as neither of us seemed to care for
the other's company we soon parted, with the expectation, on our
side, of meeting trouble. But we got our dinners first — that is, we
picked some hazelnuts in the woods — and then tramped all over a
corn field and picked out the most luscious melons, and when our
feast was over went back to the woods for a rest and got sound
asleep. But Charlie soon called to us that the dogs were after us
again, and we started. It was some time before they got on our
trail, as our tramping in the corn field had been of that zigzag
character which confused the dogs, but wdien they did they made
it lively for us.

It was a sight to see those colored men run ; they beat our party
and left us behind, and I was the last of all. That was generally
my position. We were running for all we were worth, and getting
left fast, when I called to Frank and Charlie to jump the trail and
let the others go. They did so, and we got undei a bramble tree

My Escape from Andersonvillc. 373

and took a look at the dogs as they passed by, hot on the trail of
the others. But soon after they had gone I heard a noise, and
looking over my shoulder saw four mounted rebels with guns on
their shoulders following up the dogs. Shortly after they all
came back, dogs and all, but somehow they missed our trail. In
the evening a colored boy was going through the woods with a
squirrel dog, and saw us. After some little coaxing he came to us
and told of one of our party getting caught — that is, one of the
colored fellows — after a chase of eight miles, but that the others
got away.

While sitting under some chestnut trees, the next day, we heard
some shooting, and Knapp said, "We must move at once; that's
those fellows who were after squirrels and are coming our way."
W^e had hardly left when the dogs came and took our trail ; one of
them, a black setter, came quite close, but the balance of the pack
went far off to the right. My hat fell off while I was runnmg, and
I stopped to pick it up, and as I did so the dog jumped back, and
then I knew he was afraid of us. We got under a bramble tree
again, while the dog kept barking at a respectable distance, and we
made ready to shoot the first white man who came up. But they
did not see us, and drove the dog away after the rest of the pack
We heard all about this the next day. It seems that the dog
which trailed us was a young one, in which they placed no confi-
dence, but we knew he was the only one that got on the right
scent.

We had been a long time now on our escape and were thor-
oughly tired. Our principal diet was hard corn and melons, and
we were hungering for something else. No doubt we did a good
deal of wandering from a direct course, but we wanted to hear
from Atlanta, our objective point. Of course, we asked all the
colored people we met how far it was, and each day the reply was
twenty miles. It didn't seem to get any nearer. Some of our days
were void of all incidents ; but others were exciting enough to
make up for it.

One day we heard a colored man calling the hogs in a nearby
field, and we concluded to hunt him up, and found him in a potato
patch. The light suits we had made us look like rebels, and as
soon as he saw us he made a mad break for the fence and broke
down three panels of it in getting away. As we were lost and

374 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

knew not which way to go, we concluded to follow him to the
house, and got as far as the spring when we stopped, as someone
would come there for water. Presently two white men, the darkey
and two dogs came by. They stepped right over my feet and went
down the path we had come on, and soon the dogs took our trail,
and then it did not take long to get away from that place. We
jumped the fence into a large corn field and stopped in the middle
of it, and then had a wrangle among ourselves as to the proper
direction to take, and at last got on the main road again that
passed through McDonald, the county seat of Henry County.
There we found a picket post, and one of the pickets was stirring
the fire, but we nicely side-stepped past him without being seen.

We were so tired of hearing that Atlanta was twenty miles
off that we concluded to try and find out something more definite.
When night came we went to a large house and waited till all the
lights were out, and then Knapp leaped over the fence and went
into a hut, where we found an old man, who was just pulling off
his stockings preparatory to going to bed. Knapp grabbed him,
and said, "Do you know who I am?" He said, "Yes; your are a
Yankee." "Then tell me," said Knapp, "where I am and how far
it is to Atlanta." He said, "It is twenty miles — some say nineteen ;
but I wagoned it many a day, and it's twenty miles — every inch of
it." Then he told us what route to take. We could go by way of
Decatur, but the rebel army was there ; so we took the other road,
and by the time morning came we were lost again. It was raining
a little and there was no sun, but we went ahead and the road
began to diminish and then went to nothing.

Then we had another wrangle among ourselves, and then
Charlie, in a pet, said he was going into the first house he saw
and find out ; but the first house we came to had too many dogs,
so he put off the first house for the second, which stood back
some distance from the road. When he rapped on the door a
woman called out, "Who is there?" and Charlie asked her how far
it was to McDonald, and she replied, "Five miles." Then he
asked, "How far have we come from Atlanta?" "Five miles,"
she said, and it relieved us mightily. We knew now that we could
not be far from our pickets and also might expect to meet some
rebels before we came to them, and were extra cautious and hid
in the bushes till morning. Their cavalry was on the move all

My Escape from Aiulcrsonzillc. 375

night long, and I enjoyed looking at them from mv place of con-
cealment.

When morning came we carefully took in our surroundings, and
off in the distance saw the white tents of our army, and threw up
our hats for joy. We saw some U. S. wagons outside of our
picket line and we went right up to them. There was a big man,
who looked like a rebel, sitting up to a cook stove, for it was quite
cool that morning of October 5, 1864, and as soon as he saw us
he started to run, but we called him back and began talking with
him.

It was a construction train. The foreman was in bed in his tent,
but he heard all our conversation and came out to us. He took in
the situation at once and knew exactly what we needed. He sent
for a fresh bucket of water, and we took a wash — the first one for
twenty-seven days ; then we each took a drink of whisky, and went
with him to breakfast. If my pen cannot do justice to that meal
I know my mouth did — it was good. It was such a relief to feel
safe once more. I think he appreciated our eating so heartily, and
what pleased me also was to find out that he was a Pennsylvanian,
from Bedford County, named Adams. He was much taken with
the appearance of one of our guns, and offered five dollars for it,
and we sold it and at once bought some tobacco ; that was another
thing we had a craving for.

As we would have had some difficulty in finding the office of the
Provost Marshal, Atlanta being a big place and a large army being
around it, he took us in. All of our troops we met took us for
captured rebels and chaft'ed us a good deal. While we were
walking up the street a man came riding along with a dispatch
under his belt, and I said to one near me "that I knew that man —
it looks like Joe Wetherby," and at that the man turned and
recognized me and at once took me to the headquarters of oui
escort companies, where I got a hearty reception. A good bath
and a suit of clothing made me look and feel like a Yankee soldier
again, and the only thing that occurred to mar the pleasure of my
first day of freedom and anxiety was from overeating the good
things we had for supper. I had cramps, and it seemed to me.
pretty much of everything else, for several hours, until Corp. J. P.
Fullerton got something for me which made me feel easier and
want to live again.

Z76

History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

I was forced to stay at Atlanta for two weeks, as the enemy
had swung around on our railroad and stopped all traffic, but at
last the road was cleared, and with a new suit on my back and
twenty dollars in cash and a furlough in my pocket, I started
for Chattanooga. It was a long string of cars, and I was in the
last one.

When we got near to Good Church I saw some of our men jump
out of the front cars, and then heard some shots from the front of
the train, and I jumped and scrambled off to a piece of thick woods
near the track. It was my old enemy, the rebel cavalry, after me
again, but I eluded them, and when night came tramped back
toward Atlanta and met the Sixty-second Illinois Regiment com-
ing up from the Chattahoochee River. The next day I was sent
back to Atlanta, but after going a few miles w^as again fired on,
and went back to the Chattahoochee and eventually to Atlanta.
This being fired on and dodging rebel cavalry got very tiresome
and wearing, and when next I started North it was with a good
guard of the Tenth Michigan, but I did not take a good long
breath until Louisville was reached, and I felt that I was on the
border of "God's country."

PRISON LIFE AT BELLE ISLAND AND ANDERSON-
VILLE.

ROBT. D. COOMBS, COMPANY F, PHILADELPHIA.

BELLE Island and Andersonville — are they real or only sucli
things as unsubstantial dreams are made of? Sitting mus-
ing in the quiet hours of the night at one's fireside, before
& cheerful, blazing grate, with ease and comfort and with the gray
of threescore years showing visibly — with children and grand-
children passing in review before the fitful, changing light, and
after the lapse of over forty uneventful and happy years, can one
adequately recall and portray the wxary days and nights, the long
months of suffering, hunger, despair and utter hopelessness that
surround the words Belle Island and Andersonville? Should
we give voice to it, or repress, the murderous thoughts that
filled one's mind when finally those of us that were spared set
our feet in God's country again ? How little we were, how blood-
thirsty we felt toward all those who were at that time classed as
rebels !

Time cools greater anger and softens worse wrongs than ours,
but no man, we thought, had greater cause for enmity and hate
than we when released from our long imprisoriment.

May I set down naught in malice is my wish. I certainly will
put down no untruths, but can I do it justice and still keep within
apparent truthfulness? — for I have never yet seen such hideous-
ness adequately portrayed.

Our Government was probably not the least to blame for our
long imprisonment and suffering, if there was any blame, because
it was a Government policy that kept us there. To have ex-
changed prisoners meant the recruiting of the rebel armies. by just
so many new soldiers, for without them the South had no new
levies to call upon. With the North the supply was always plenti-

T,'/8 History of the Fifteenth Pe)iiisylz'aiiia Cavalry.

f ul ; so that being our policy, we were only doing a soldier's duty in
a new line — fighting a battle on a new field, with dead and wounded
just the same, only it was more deadly and more harrowing.
Think of the fatalities ! — exceeding any in modern battles — for
with 40,000 combatants, 12,912 died in Andersonville, and of the
survivors very few lived long.

On December 24, 1863, after our previous night's ride to en-
deavor to surprise, at daybreak, the rebel camp near Dandridge,
in East Tennessee, our advance guard of about twenty-four men,
under Lyon, found themselves, after passing through a strip of
woods, but a few fields ofif from a small battery in the road, about
to fire on us. After the interchange of a few shots we thought
it expedient to fall back to the main body, under Colonel Palmer.

As we trotted out of the country road into the path through the
woods we found our retreat cut ofT by about 100 of the rebel cav-
alry drawn up parallel to the path, about fifty yards ofif, by the
side of a fence separating the woods from a cultivated field. They
opened fire as we started to charge by ; there was the usual rush
and clashing of sabers, the whistling of bullets and the shouts of
our rrien. Then I knew no more.

When I recovered my senses all was quiet, and as I rose I saw
Abe Thomas near me. The others had escaped. His horse
had been shot, as had mine, and while we had fortunately escaped
having our brains knocked out as we shot over our horses' heads
among the trees, we were both bunged up. We started through
the woods on a run to the opposite side, where there was another
fence and field. We had scarcely gotten over and gone but a
few feet beyond when the rebels appeared behind us, urging their
horses over the fence, firing their pistols at us and calling upon us
to surrender. We kept on, but they soon caught us, as we were
afoot. It appears we were very near safety, as immediately our
own men opened fire just beyond, and for a time it was pretty hot,
we being between the two fires. The rebels soon fell back, drag-
ging us with them, having first taken our sabers and pistols. When
we reached the woods where their main body was we found they
had captured Captain Airey and about ten of our own boys. The
rebel forces consisted of about a brigade of cavalry and some
pieces of artillery. It seems they had been marching all night,
hoping to do as we had intended to do — attack at daybreak.

Prison Life at Belle Island and Andersonville. 379

We were marched some distance to a small settlement and im-
prisoned in a house there. Some few escaped in the night. The
wounded were taken from us, and we never saw them agani.
This was Christmas Day. Afterward we were taken to a railroad
crossing, where there was a log hut. about twenty by thirty
feet, in which we were placed and kept for about two weeks. There
were some other prisoners taken later, so that we numbered prob-
ably fifty. It was bitter cold, and we built a fire in the center of the
hut. We were so crowded that when we lay down at night to
.=leep we were so wedged in that it was impossible to turn. If any-
one got up in the night, when he returned he would simply lie on
the bodies and sink of his own weight between them to the ground.
Alost of us had our overcoats taken away and very few had
blankets, so that we sufifered from the intense cold.

When the time came at last for us to be sent to Richmond we
had become so cramped and stifliened and weakened by lack of
food that we found marching a delusion and a snare. Some were
shoeless, and as the ground was covered with snow the blood soon
came, and the suffering became intense. The line was long drawn
out as we staggered along. I know I blubbered like a baby, my
knees knocking together. I was scarcely more than a boy, only
about twenty, so that such weakness might be excused.

We reached that night the town of Rogersville, Tenn., just
about dusk. We sat on the marble steps of a bank building until
they determined where we were to be kept. This building was
selected for our abode ; we were kept there for several days and
then taken to Bristol, where we were entrained in cattle cars for
the East.

Wdien we reached Lynchburg we were kept there over Sunday,
and then continued on to Richmond, reaching there about the
middle of January. We were taken to a large tobacco warehouse
on the same street and diagonally opposite Libby Prison, known
a« Castle Thunder.

While there for a few weeks occurred the raid which Dahlgren
made around Richmond. At this time we were enjoined from
looking out of the windows, and were fired upon by the sentries
for doing so.

In a week or so we were transferred to Belle Island, being
marched from Richmond across a bridge over the James River

3S0 History of the Fifteenth Peiuisykaiiia Cavalry.

to Manchester, directly opposite, and then over another bridge
from that side to Belle Island.

Belle Island contained then from 8000 to 10,000 prisoners. Our
camp ran down to the edge of the water, being enclosed simply by
an embankment about four feet high. Guards were placed at
intervals, marching back and forth on the outside. They bartered
at night with those who had greenbacks or clothing or anything
to dispose of for food. There were some Sibley tents that
were kept for the use of the older prisoners, but most of us were
without shelter of any kind, save what we might have had our-
selves. There was no wood to be had for fires, and as it was an ex-
ceptionally cold, hard winter, our sufferings were almost unen-
durable.

My immediate messmate, George ^^^all, and I had each managed
to save our ponchos, which with short sticks enabled us to put
up a small wedge-shaped tent, about three feet high, with the
sides open and nothing on the ground. We had somehow kept one
quilt, with which we covered ourselves, of course not taking off
any clothes.

Our washing was done at the river's edge.

As what food we had was not cooked, wood was a necessity.

In the bartering there was much cheating, probably on both
sides, when it could be safely done, but frequently the guards took
fearful revenge. I have seen them fire right into the mass of
prisoners, the bullet killing or wounding three at a time. The
street was about six feet wide, running right through the camp,
where we all congregated daily to traffic or gossip.

Belle Island, I think, was the worst place at which we were im-
prisoned, considering the severity of the winter and the absence of
proper food. The number of deaths was less than at Anderson-
ville, but then there were fewer prisoners, and we had not been
imprisoned for very long, and consequently were stronger.

Our food consisted simply of a piece of corn bread, coarsely
made, about three inches square, and a small tin cup of what was
called "bean soup" — ^thin, watery stuff, with a few wormy beans
floating on the top. The worms were the only thickening and
strength it had. This meal was all we got each day, so that our
thin blood made the piercing cold more penetrating.

The bitter cold nights were frightful niHitmares ; the davs were

Prison Life at Belle Island and Andersonvillc. 381

bearable when there was some sunshine and no bitter wind. Tlie
Black Hole of Calcutta is historical, with its stench, heat and
darkness. But the days and particularly the nights at Belle Island
were possibly even worse. There was the absence of shelter,
the want of sufficient clothing, the bitter cold and the lack of
sufficient and proper food. It was horrible in the long hours of
the night to hear the never-ceasing tramp, the low moans and
curses and the thud of some falling bodies when nature gave up
the unequal struggle.

When a dog or any animal floated down to the island, the pris-
oners would beg for and eat it, raw usually, and offal sometimes
found its way into the possession of a lucky few, and was devoured
eagerly.

Men were freezing and starving to death all the time. One of
our own Regiment had his foot frozen, which grew worse at
Andersonville and developed into the gangrene so prevalent there.
While undergoing the amputation of his leg, he had as close a call
as any of us ever will, and live. In fact, he was cast aside as dead,
but he revived, and is a living example of what a human being
can stand.

In these miserable surroundings we spent that winter — a woe-
begone, desolate, diseased crowd.

Wlien March came and we were re-marched over to Richmond,
we thought an exchange had been effected, and dreamed of home
and friends and food. But we were disappointed, and on March
4, 1864, were again entrained on cattle cars and started on
our long six days' journey to Andersonville.

At midnight, on the loth of March, we arrived at Charlotte,
N. C, where we were taken from the cars and encamped in the
guardhouse over night. I recall how one of us (not in our Regi-
ment)— a great, big, light-hearted man — became demented, wan-
dered about like a wild man, and at last laid down to die, alone
and deserted.

We then passed on farther south. At the border of each State
we were met by a guard of State militia, who escorted us through
the State. During our journey down some of the prisoners got
in the end of the cars after dark, the two guards being stationed
only in the center, and cut through the bottom of the cars, so that
when we stopped sometimes at night at stations three or four

382 History of the Fifteenth Pennsykaiiia Cavalry.

would make their escape through the holes so made. Finally they
were missed, and just as soon as a stop was made guards were
placed on the outside. The first thing we knew of the discovery
was the sharp crack of guns, the screams of our men, and then
two bodies were pitched into the car, on top of Wall and me,
lying near the door. We dare not move, and so their lifeblood
stained our clothes and bodies, and they lay all night on our legs.
We dare not get up, as the orders were to shoot any who arose in
the night, and frequently men were shot who got up uncon-
sciously in their sleep. After this experience extra guards were
placed over us, with orders to shoot on the slightest provocation.

Another method of escape used in our trip to x\ndersonville was
rather amusing and. enjoyable, like any sport. During the day
we were allowed to stand, and naturally got near the door to look
out and see the country. Those desiring to take the chance of
escaping would be given leeway at the door, and as soon as the
track ran near a hill two would roll out in a ball and go rolling
down the hillside, the cars, of course, going on. The guards at the
door and ,on top would try to pot them as they scampered off
through the fields. It was great fun for us, as the Johnnies never
seemed to hit anyone.

We passed through Augusta and Macon finally, and reached
Andersonville, I suppose, about midnight. It was raining in tor-
rents. As the cars came along and stopped, a double line of sol-
diers was stretched out at right angles to the car, each bearing a
large blazing pine knot; and as we passed out through them in
the pouring rain it was a weird sight. We were marched about a
half mile to the stockade and turned in — without shelter, with-
out even any tents. It was at the bottom of a slope between
two hills, with a small stream flowing through it, and surrounded
by tall posts put in the ground upright, about fifteen feet high,
close together and enclosing the grounds, with a large gate at the
only entrance. It was a parallelogram in shape, and, if. my mem-
ory can be depended upon after forty years, its length may have
been 1000 feet and width 600 or 800 feet. At intervals near the top
of the stockade, with steps on the outside, were stands for the sen-
tries, and here they would stand day and night, calling the number
of the post, the time and sometimes the weather. It was some-
thing like this : "Post 2, 10 o'clock ; all's well : raining like h — 1."

Prison Life at Belle Island and Andcrsonviile. 383

There was much buying and seUing done, as the Johnnies were
anxious to get hold of Uncle Sam's greenbacks and we were
anxious for food. Here the severest rules were enforced ; scarcely
a night passed without the guards shooting at some one of the
prisoners. My personal misfortunes commenced at my debut at
this new summer resort. It was a hard time, but youth triumphed,
and I passed through the fire and lived to tell the tale, so that I
suppose I ought to consider myself lucky for the experience.
Being about twenty years old, with two years" entire army ser-
■ vice, I had never known a day's sickness, never a headache or any
other ache, and to that I attribute my endurance.

After the cold of Belle Island and the confinement of the life
there, the sun at Andersonville brought on my own misfortune.
As we stood up in line one morning to be divided into squads I
fell over on my face in a faint, and then and there laid down with
the commencement of typhoid pneumonia. It seemed like a billet
for the other world under the existing conditions — no hospital, no
shelter, no food, no medicine, on the ground, inclement March and
April ahead. Could conditions be more adverse ?

But I will first explain hov/ we were arranged and guarded.
We were first separated into companies of 270 men, these sub-
divided into squads of ninety for convenience in issuing food,
counting and keeping tabs, for every morning a rebel Sergeant
came and we had to be re-counted. Our food was also issued to
these squads of ninety, and then divided by ourselves, cut up and
distributed by lot — somebody turning his back, and so giving it
out. We then were put as squadded on the hillside, a "street" to
each squad, running down the hill at right angles to the swamp.
The "streets" were say four or five feet wide, and each squad
butted up against the adjoining one — two squads, then a street,
then two squads again, and so on all over the camp. A well was
dug bv each squad, others being sunk when necessity required,
and these, holes were down toward the swamp. The swamp was
a marshy, wet ground, occupying about a quarter of the space.

In the center of this swamp the water made a channel, through
which it flowed — not enough there to wade in or to use for drink-
ing, but was onlv a meandering, muddy, irregular little body,
v/hich, however, as it reached the stockade, broadened out and
deepened, making a hole, say five or six feet wide and a foot

384 History of the FiftccntJi Pennsylvania Cavalry.

or so deep, from which we got all our water for drinking and
washing. And, of course, all the refuse of the camp percolated
through the swamp until it reached this hole. There was, how-
ever, no superfluous washing on those days, of either people or
clothing. To live was the essential thing. And when the "dead
line" was formed it passed over this pool, and many a poor fellow
was potted for stretching over too far to get some cleaner water.

The "dead line" was created after we had been there some
time, as a protection, they said, from the scaling of the stockade.
It was not an imaginary line, as I have heard stated, though it
was not a very evident one. It was maybe ten or twelve feet from
the stockade — simply a line of upright posts, say four feet high,
the posts about ten feet apart, with a strip of wood on the top.
It meant almost certain death if you even accidentally fell under
it. I can recall one day when skirmishing around for a little
wood to cook with and seeing a stump just about under the "dead
line," I started to break it with my foot, asking the guard if I
could not get it, but I stood transfixed as he slowly raised his gun
to his shoulder. My companions all around ran; Had I done
so I would probably have been shot, but I was too frightened to
move. But for some providential reason he hesitated, and slowly
dropped his gun as I walked away. He must have seen the sicken-
ing fright on my young face and taken pity.

The lack of food and shelter and the filfh we were compelled
to live in brought on new diseases at Andersonville. Legs, frozen
at Belle Island, thawed here and developed into gangrene. The
most repulsive and horrible sights were common. I have seen a
man with his face all eaten clear of flesh, with apparently millions
of maggots crawling through the sores, and the man unable to lift
a hand to interfere. You could clasp your fingers around their
legs at the thighs, and when scurvy became prevalent their limbs
would harden, become the color of mahogany and the joints be-
come stiff, so they could not bend. The teeth would loosen and
fall out. Then, too, there were hundreds in a dropsical condition,
and their hands, body and legs would swell to double their size.
Every day I saw from 125 to 150 dead comrades stretched out
in their last sleep. In the m.orning a large, open army wagon was
driven in, and the bodies were taken up by the arms or legs and
tossed into it. Long trenches had been dug and the bodies were

Prison Life at Belle Island and Andersonville. 385

cast into them. There was no clergy, no burial service. But
had they not done their duty quietly, uncomplainingly, under try-
ing conditions ? Let them rest in peace.

I can recall no special suffering or distress from my own illness,
except the misery of it all and the knowledge that I saw my com-
rade thought I was to be the first to respond to the hereafter call.
I was spared. After three months I commenced to mend and get
about. Having some knowledge of medicine, I had charge, with
another prisoner, of some of the gangrene patients — not a very
healthful occupation under the circumstances. George Wall had
me transferred and he remained inside. I had not been out long —
about July ist — when poor George was carried out a corpse, hav-
ing died away from me. It saddened my life, as we had been close
"bunkies" ever since our capture in December — slept together,
shared our small rations, comforted and cheered each other as
best we could. He nursed me from March loth, for three months,
like a mother, cooking what little I required and nestling close to
me in the long, cold nights, to keep me warm.

After we were a little settled the prisoners naturally began to
devise means of escape. At first a number got away when we were
taken out daily in small squads to collect wood for cooking.
Some would stray as far away as possible and secrete themselves
until the others returned to camp, but as soon as they were missed
the bloodhounds were turned loose and invariably captured them,
frequently mangling them. Finally we commenced tunneling.
\\t had the privilege of digging wells, and the mounds of new
earth did not arouse suspicion, so that when a party arranged to
dig out, they would openly, during the day, dig a big hole, and
when night came they would commence tunneling, diggmg first
a hole and then running a parallel hole with the ground until it
got beyond the stockade.

Frequent escapes made the warden wary, so that after night the
bloodhounds were set loose and kept encircling the stockade, and
we could hear their deep baying during the night. However,
men were continually escaping, and frequently the same men. so
that finally, as a punishment, the rebel authorities started what
was known as the chain gang. They ought really to be considered
links of honor. From one or two it gradually increased to a
double line of about two dozen. Thev v^ere all connected together

386 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

in two long files, two and two. On the outer leg of each was a
small chain, long enough to reach the hand, to which was attached
an iron cannon ball, say about twenty-four pounds ; then they were
manacled together at the neck, each to his elbow neighbor, so that
they had to lie down or stand up together, and making all neces-
sary movements as if one. This punishment would become a
great hardship. When some would die, as they were frequently
doing, their bodies would have to be carried to the blacksmith
to have him hammer ofif the chains. This chain gang was used
as an example to prevent others from escaping, and they were
kept on the outside of the stockade, always under guard.

As the number of prisoners increased, reaching a total of
40,000, we had, of course, many men of many nationalities and
various characters and habits. Under the baleful influence of
evil life and surroundings some developed those wolfish traits, in-
herent, I suppose, in all of us if not redeemed by home and usage.
Many of the prisoners had been captured in fights, and so came
to us large bodies, therefore unsearched. These men had with them
the pay and bounties that had been pretty freely distributed in
1864. This money became a great temptation to some of the
needy and starving, and soon bands of robbers were formed, and
murders and injury became frequent. It became unsafe to be
known to have money or anything valuable. Hold-ups were
taking place, even in the daytime ; in fact, the robbers were soon
well known.

Finally this grew so bad that there was a meeting of the bolder
ones, and after a consultation with the rebel authorities, who
were aware of what was going on inside, but could not prevent it,
six of the ringleaders of the robbers were arrested. They were
put under guard, a judge and jury of our own people were
selected, witnesses were called, and after a full, honest trial
they were all found guilty of murder and robbery and sentenced
to be hanged. The finding was submitted to the higher rebel
authorities, and from them to our Northern authorities, and by
each was approved. We were then given material, and a rude
wooden gallows was erected inside the stockade, and the six
prisoners were launched into eternity at once.

Before the thousands of prisoners were allowed to assemble the
rebel guard outside was augmented to two or three regiments,

Prison Life at Belle Island and Andersonville. 387

two forts were erected and loaded cannon were placed at two
ends of the stockade, to prevent any attempt to use this gathering
as an excuse for escape. One of the poor devils fell on his knees
and begged for mercy, but with yells and curses he was driven
forward to the gallows. There was no mercy in our hearts at that
time. This episode, however, was almost our own undoing, be-
cause the shouts made the rebels think an attempt at escape was
being started, and they all but opened fire on us with their guns.
It was touch and go.

[Comrade Coombs reached this period of his narrative when the
summons came suddenly calling him to the higher life beyond.
No distressing, lingering sickness gave an indication of his de-
parture, but he was ready. He had been a good man, a good
citizen and a good father. His life here had only been a prep-
aration for the one beyond, and while those he left \vill miss him
there can be no cause for repining at his going.

To his fellow-prisoner, who was captured with him, Abraham
W. Thomas, has been delegated the work of finishing the article
which he began.]

CONTINUATION OF ANDERSONVILLE NARRATIVE.

ABRAHAM W. THOMAS, COMPANY M, MT. AIRY, PHILADELPHIA.

IT seems to me a perfectly natural thing that I should finish the
article which my old prison Comrade Robt. Coombs began,
for in our capture and imprisonment we had been very close
together. What one did the other helped to do. We shared all our
sorrows and what few joys came to us. If either got unduly
depressed and disheartened at our condition, the other did his part
to cheer and encourage and bring back that atom of hope which
kept us alive. Our experiences, our lives and our very thoughts
were the same, and as I pen these lines the old feeling of working
together comes over me, just as in those days when it was "Bob"
and "Abe" between us.

Besides the six who were hanged there were about fifty more
who were not found guilty of anything more serious than thieving,
who, when turned back into the stockade, were compelled to run
the gauntlet between a row of men, who had formed into two
lines to receive them. They were treated to kicks or a crack with
a club or anything that could be had. This treatment and the
hanging of the six men on the nth of July virtually put a stop
to the stealing and abuse by the raiders, as we called them. I
remember one fellow who was caught stealing afterward. They
shaved one-half of his head and marched him all over the camp,
so that all could see him.

There was a time when the guards came into the camp and
tried to persuade some of our men to enlist in the rebel army,
promising that they would not be sent to the front, but would be
kept for duty elsewhere, and that they would send their own men
to the front. This was frowned upon by us all. We preferred
starvation in prison to service in the rebel army.

Things ran along without any great change until September

8, 1864, when we were divided up into small bodies and sent to

different places, for fear that General Sherman would recapture

and liberate us. I was with the lot that was sent to Savannah,

388

ContinnatiGn of Andcrsonvillc Xarmtkr. 389

where we arrived on September 9th. Here we were driven into
another stockade, differing somewhat from that at Andersonville,
this one being merely a high board fence. The soil was of a
sandy nature, and when we dug the sink wells, which were about
three feet deep, we would come to water which was impregnated
with some chemical, so that it was unfit for use. When the wells
w^ere about half full they would begin to rush and bubble, and.
the water would rise nearly to the surface.

We procured our drinking water through pipes from the city.
It was at this place that I received the only medicine for my com-
plaint— dysenter}^ — which I contracted shortly after we left Belle
Island and continued to have until after reaching our lines, when
exchanged.

We left Savannah on October 12th for another stockade, at
Millen, where we arrived the same day. Millen was about the
same kind of a pen as Andersonville, excepting that the logs com-
posing the stockade were round instead of being squared.

General Sherman still forcing his way to the sea, we were again
moved, and on November 21st we left Millen for Blackshear
Station, arriving there on November 22d. Here we were placed
in a pine woods, there being not more than about 5000 prisoners.
We were treated fairly well by the rebel guards, and given fresh
meat, sweet potatoes and good corn meal, and sometimes a little
molasses. There was no stockade or fence around us here. On
December 5th we left Blackshear Station for Thomasville, arriving
there on the 6th. Here we were kept for about two weeks, and on
the morning of the 19th we marched for Albany, arriving there
on December 24th. We were placed in cattle cars and run back
to Andersonville, arriving there in the evening of December 25th,
amidst a light snowstorm. Andersonville was very much
changed — the old huts that the men had built for shelter were all
destroyed and most of the wells were filled in — but by this time
we had stolen enough meal sacks from the rebels to make our
mess a good-sized tent, which we made by ripping the seams and
raveling out some of the goods for thread. We had sewed about a
dozen altogether.

Ever since leaving Andersonville, on September 8th, the general
condition of the prisoners had improved. It must have been that
the rebels saw thev were in a losing gfame. and feared the dav of

390 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

retribution, for the guards around us were not so brutal as they
had been, and the rations we received were greater and of more
variety. For all that we were always hungry, and not an hour
went by but what we thought of some of those good things our
mothers cooked for us at home. The enormous death rate among
us was caused not so much by the lack of something to eat as it
was by our exposure to all sorts of weather. We had no houses
to go into, no fireplaces at which to warm ourselves and were not
treated with even the same consideration that a farmer has for
his cattle. All this was in a country full of wood, and had per-
mission been given us, in a week we could have sheltered our-
selves at no cost to the Confederacy. But General Winder, who
had charge of all the prisoners, had boasted that at Anderson-
ville "he would kill more Yankees than Bobby Lee would in Vir-
ginia," and he did it.

On March 25, 1865, we received the long-looked for news that
there was to be an exchange, and left that day, passing through
Columbus, Ga., on the 26th, Montgomery the same day, and
Selma, Ala., and Demopolis on March 27th. We arrived at
Meridian on the 28th, and at Jackson, Miss., on March 29th,
where we were paroled, and started on foot, barefooted at that,
for our lines, a distance of nearly forty miles, arriving at the Big
Black River on April ist. We were then placed in parole camp,
a little below Vicksburg.

Here we were under the Stars and Stripes once more. We got
the regular army ration and Uncle Sam's clothing, and after a
good wash and burning up our old clothes — graybacks and all —
felt that we were on the edge of God's country again. We still
had with us two rebel officers, who had been with us since we left
Jackson, to show us the way and act the part of guides. But
when at this camp we heard the news of the assassination of
President Lincoln, the men got so excited and incensed that the
officers fled to their own lines, and it was well they did or they
would have been hanging to trees before many minutes.

On April 23d we were put aboard boats and started up the
Mississippi, arriving at St. Louis, April 27th. We remained there
until May 5th, when we took cars for the East, arriving at Annap-
olis, Md., May loth. We were then sent to Harrisburg on the 15th,
were there discharged on June ist, arriving at home June 2, 1865.

THE MIDXIGHT CROSSING OF THE FRENCH BROAD.

CAPT. H. K. WEAND, COMPANY H, NORRISTOWN, PA.

COUNT Mather, Company F, dubbed me "Weando of the
French Broad,'' and this is how it came about. To fully
appreciate the incident you must recall the extremely cold
weather of the winter spent in East Tennessee, and the character
of the river, which, rising in North Carolina, near the foot of
the Blue Ridge, flows northwest into Tennessee, and bending
toward the southwest discharges into the Holston River, four
miles above Knoxville. It is about 200 miles long, and is navi-
gable by steamboats as far as Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tenn.
For about forty miles from Asheville *to the Tennessee line it is
remarkable for its beautiful scenery, flowing through deep moun-
tain gorges or overhung by cliffs.

Nearly opposite the Warm Springs, in Madison County, N. C,
are precipices known as the Chimneys and the Painted Rocks. The
latter, which are between 200 and 300 feet high, derive their name
from some Indian pictures still to be seen on them. It has its
moods — at one time a peaceful stream, flowing its course as if it
delighted to show its charms, and then in a short time, after a
heavy rain, roaring like a lion, overflowing its banks and making
itself disagreeable by contrast.

In the winter of 1864 we had been in camp along its banks, on
the plantation, I think, of a man named Evans. Opposite, in the
middle of the stream, was an island, which had been planted in
corn the season before. At its upper end was a fording place
leading to an old mill on the opposite side. We had forded the
river on a scout toward Dandridge, in an effort to locate the
enemy, a part of Longstreet's force. We knew they were in the
neighborhood, and having given chase to some of their cavalry,
had reason to suppose that they would endeavor to cut off our
return. It had rained during the day or night before, the river
was rising, and Colonel Palmer was anxious to get his command
safely across before the river had risen too much.

391

392 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

When we reached the river on our return I was told to take
charge of the rear guard, and as soon as I saw the main body
safely advanced, to cross to the island, taking with me a flat-
bottomed scow which was tied to the shore at the mill. It was
dark when I started, and I got to the island with difficulty, and
so did the scow — never to return — that is, the scow did not.
During the night the river rose rapidly, bringing down ice and
debris, and it became exceedingly cold. We built no fires, so as
not to attract the enemy, and waited for orders. During the next
afternoon I was ordered to bring my men with the scow around
the head of the island, to a point nearly opposite our camp.

It was hard work — pulling and tugging by holding on to bushes
and branches, with the swift-flowing water and ice against us. We
had no oars and could not have rowed the boat with them, but we
succeeded, at the cost of bleeding and almost frozen hands, and
we were tired.

Lieut.-Colonel Lamborn had been brought to the island during
the afternoon in a canoe, and when I reported to him it was late,
dark and cold, with the river running with ice, overflowing the
banks on either side for some distance. I was now ordered to
ferry my men and horses across in detachments. It seemed to me
impossible, and so I told the Colonel, but his orders were impera-
tive. We loaded five or six men and horses on the scow with great
difficulty, and with myself at the bow and Corporal Jenkins at
the helm — a long pole — we started on our voyage. Otir course
was diagonal, and we trusted that the rapid stream would land
ui" some distance below our starting point; and so we sailed, and
we sailed, on our first trip as horse marines. We went rushing
on — the water dashing into the boat, the ice grinding against its
sides and the horses trembling with fear and cold.

As we approached the shore we could see, through the dark-
ness, that the trees were now some distance down in the stream, so
I gave orders to our helmsman to keep a sharp lookout and
endeavor to avoid them. But it was too late, for it was now evi-
dent that we were being carried right into them. Seeing that we
would be swept off, I gave orders, "Look out for yourselves !" and
in a moment we were swept from the boat, which had gone right
into the branches of the trees. Fortunately we could reach the
limbs, and each man grasping one and, dangling in the water,

The Midnight Crossing of the French Broad. 393

pulled himself into the trees. The horses were also swept off,
but, marvelous to relate, all but one were washed ashore. The
boat has never been heard from to this day. Our shouts alarmed
the camp, and soon our boys came to our assistance, and with
ropes, fence rails and other expedients relieved us from our
ridiculous position. We were up a tree — the "Anderson Cavalry !"
each one having been highly recommended before enlistment —
mounted on wooden horses.

Hurrying us to camp we were stripped of our clothing, wrapped
in blankets, w-armed before blazing fires, and with the aid of hot
coffee and things were soon made comfortable.

It was not a bit funny. "Looking backwards," it was a voyage
that for a few minutes made us dreadfully seasick. I can scarcely
describe my emotions when I saw what was to happen except that
I washed I had been a better boy in my earlier days, and wondered
whether my name would be spelled correctly in the list of missing.

The balance of my command was brought safely over the next
afternoon in a canoe, leading their swimming horses. "Washing-
ton crossing the Delaware" has been immortalized — I was called
before Colonel Palmer for words spoken in debate w^hen hailed
by Colonel Lamborn to "bring back that boat," my reply not
havine been accordinsf to resrulations.

THE WRONG MEN SHOT.

SERG. JOS. R. LONABAUGH, COMPANY G, PHILADELPHIA.

A BOUT the time General Sherman started on his march from
J-\ Chattanooga to Atlanta our Regiment was ordered from
its camp at Rossville, Ga., back to Nashville, for a re-
mount. The winter campaign had been very destructive to our
horses, and what good ones we had left were taken from us and
given to one of the regiments which was just starting on the
campaign. About noon the Regiment was assembled and marched
into Chattanooga, about six miles, and after the usual wait, got on
freight cars and started for Nashville.

Along about lo o'clock that night, when a few miles from
Scottsboro, Ala., we were fired on by a party of guerillas, who
stood not ten feet from the railroad track. Our engineer and
fireman were seriously wounded, but the men were all lying down
at that time and escaped. Two trains followed us, and on both
either the engineer or fireman was shot. One of the trains was
filled with Confederate prisoners. They were probably packed
closer in their cars than we were, and many of them were stand-
ing, so that they got the full effect of the shots. What a pleasure
it was to stand alongside of their train and listen to tliem curse
and damn their own men. The burden of their abuse was that
"such conduct was not war" and that "no soldier would engage
in it." "If they wanted to fight honorably, why didn't they join
the army at the front?" All this was nuts for us, and we fully
agreed with them. Before the war ended Jeff Davis did, too, and
issued an order against such bands.

As both our engineer and fireman were shot, volunteers for
their places were called for, and John Kreider, John Strebig and
Corp. Harry Paschall, of Company F, took their places, and ran
the locomotive the rest of the way, arriving at Nashville about
2 p.M.^ on May 8th, when the Regiment was marched to the old
No. 14 Hospital, and bivouacked in the yard all night.

After making our camp we remained there about three months.
394

The Wrong Men Shot. 395

Our campaign in East Tennessee had been a hard one, and the rest
we had there, with the freedom from drills during the earlier part
of our stay, was appreciated by the men. It was at this time that
we had our first taste of "bounty jumpers," a class of men who
enlisted for the bounty paid, and then deserted after receiving the
first instalment of it. All the officers received notices from the
recruiting officers that certain men, whose names and descriptions
were given, had joined their companies, but very few ever reached
us. They had managed to slip off, and repeated the operation on
some other enlisting officer. But not all were of this class, and
some of those recruits who reached us made most excellent sol-
diers.

Soon after arrival Major Betts and Captains Colton and Alather
gave a supper in town, at "Bassett's," to the other officers, in
honor of their late promotions. They must have had a pleasant
time of it, the only disappointment being Colonel Palmer's declin-
ing to sing his song, "I laid four dollars down and bet them one
by one." Our Colonel has always been spoken of as an accom-
plished man, but to this day we do not know whether singing,
dancing and piano playing are a part of his accomplishments.

At this camp, too, we were joined by our imported fencing
master, Colonel Emil de Salignac, who remained with us till the
close of the war. He was a good teacher and a splendid swords-
man, but the boys did not like French names, and he was known
as "Dig-a-Shay," it being the Americanized version of the com-
mand he often gave in drill — "degagez," meaning to disengage the
sword blades.

In July we received the first instalment of our horses, and at
once commenced picket duty on all the roads leading south. The
day of rest and recreation had passed, but a good deal of fun was
extracted out of the workadays which followed.

Soon after the ist of August, having received our full equip-
ment, "boots and saddles!" sounded, and we started on our cam-
paign again. Our march took us through Murfreesboro, Ready-
ville and Woodbury, over the ground where we had our fight with
Colonel Smith's Confederate regiment. Then we went on to Mc-
Minnville, crossed the Cumberland Mountains to Dunlap, and
then Waldon's Ridge, arriving at Chattanooga on August 17th,
just as peaches were getting plentiful.

396 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

At this time General Hood was swinging his army back on the
railroad which supplied Sherman's army, and the rebel cavalry
were reported not far from town. General Williams with 800
men was reported at Maysville, but had left when we got there.
We hunted for them at Cleveland, Tunnel Hill and Dalton, but in
no place had they waited for us. At the latter place Colonel
Leybold's regiment had held the fort, and stood the rebels off
when he was attacked ; but the large brick house in the center of
the fort needed a good deal of patching up when they left, as the
rebel artillery had used it for a mark. One person was sorry when
they left. An old apple and cake woman, who carried all her stock
in two baskets, told me, with a good deal of satisfaction, that
"she made between $3000 and $4000 every day our people were
here."

We did a good deal of scouting now, without results, except
finding new fields of corn, just right for roasting, and fresh
peaches. We went to Waterhouse's, Benton, Spring Place and Cal-
houn, where we halted a few days. Then, one very hot day, we
went to Adairsville, on a false alarm, and Company I was sent to
Cartersville to guard cattle. On September 13th orders came to
go back to East Tennessee, and we started on our second cam-
paign in that country.

"HOLD THE FORT."

A. D. FRANKENBERRY, COMPANY K^ POINT MARION, PA.

THE great War of the Rebellion, 1861-65, developed many
exceedingly interesting and unique events. There has never
been and probably never in the future will there be such a
war. It was American bravery, heroism, manhood and endurance
en the Union side arrayed against the same elements on the South-
ern side. It was a life-and-death struggle between the two gigantic,
contending forces which, from the earliest settlement of America
— one at Jamestown, the other at Plymouth Rock — had grown up
together, yet ever opposite, never in complete unity. The
vital point of difference was, Shall America be free, or part free,
part slave ? Long years of bitter contention had marked our his-
tory as a people, without permanent results being attained, till
1 861, when the great crisis came, and the one great question was
referred to the "Supreme Court of the World." Never before on
this earth assembled such an august tribunal, never before was
there submitted to human heads and hearts for final decision such
momentous questions. Its daily sessions were held for more than
four long years, from 1861 to 1865, when at Appomattox and
Raleigh its final verdict was rendered and there again reigned
"Peace on earth, good will to men."

The duty of the Signal Corps vi^as to be with the extreme ad-
vance of each army; make observations of the position of the
enemy; read and translate their signals; transmit, with flag and
torch and rocket, the orders and commands of commanding offi-
cers from one part of the army to any other distant part, and
establish and maintain long lines of communication. The Signal
Corps constituted the very "eyes and ears of the army."

The work performed by the Signal Corps immediately preced-
ing and during the battle of Allatoona Pass, Ga., October 5, 1864,
was the most notable service rendered by the corps during the
war; and this service must be reckoned by the results following

397

398 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

the battle. On October 3, 1864, General Sherman's army was in
camp in the vicinity of Atlanta, Ga., with detached guards along
the only railroad north to Chattanooga, distant 140 miles. Kenne-
saw Mountain is twenty-one miles north of Atlanta; Allatoona
Pass is eighteen miles north of Kennesaw Mountain ; Rome, Ga.,
is thirty-six miles northwest — via Kingston — of Allatoona Pass.
Signal stations were established previous to October i, 1864, at
Allatoona Pass and Marietta, communicating with the station on
Kennesaw Mountain, which latter station communicated with
Atlanta and also with an intermediate station at Vining's, half
way between Kennesaw and Atlanta.

October 3, 1864, the Confederate army, under General Hood,
having crossed the Chattahoochee River below Sweetwater, moved
via Lost Mountain and occupied General Sherman's railroad line
at Big Shanty, two miles north of Kennesaw Mountain, with a
heavy force of infantry, artillery and cavalry.

I am much rejoiced that I am now, after more than forty years,
one among the few survivors of those eventful days. I went to
Kennesaw Mountain with the Signal Corps detachment Septem-
ber 12, 1864, and was on duty there till October 10, 1864.

On October 6, 1864, I took possession of the large signal flag
used on Kennesaw Mountain on October 3, 4 and 5, 1864, and
retained it in my possession till May, 1900, when I placed it in the
flag room at Harrisburg, Pa.

October 3, 1864, General Stewart, of the Confederate army,
moving via Lost Mountain, at about 4 p.m. captured Big Shanty,
cut the telegraph wires, tore up the railroad and set fire to all that
would burn or make a smoke. Thus was severed all means of
communication between Kennesaw and Allatoona, between Gen-
eral Sherman at Atlanta and General Corse at Rome, Ga., except
by the flags and torches alone of the Signal Corps. Allatoona
Pass was held by Colonel Tourtellotte with 905 muskets and six
pieces of artillery. Here was Sherman's storehouse, with 3,000,-
000 rations and immense quantities of munitions of war, requir-
ing months to collect and transport.

On October 4th, General Stewart's Confederate corps moved
on Allatoona. General Sherman's army at the same time was in
rapid motion from Atlanta to Smyrna camp ground and west of
Marietta. It was on the afternoon of October 3d that the men on

"Hold the Fort."

399

duty at the signal station on Kennesaw discovered Hood's Con-
federates on Lost Mountain, and at once reported that fact by
signal to General McArthur at Marietta, and to General Sher-
man at Atlanta, twenty-one miles distant. On the same day,
later in the afternoon, Sherman sent from Atlanta to Kennesaw
the following signal message :

"Commanding Officer, Allatoona, Kingston and Rome :
"Enemy moving on Allatoona, thence to Rome."

We could not send this message to Allatoona, because of the
dense fog, until the forenoon of October 4th, when the fog lifted
and we could see with our telescope the Allatoona station. Later
in the forenoon of the same day the six-foot signal flag from
Kennesaw's top spelled out this message to Allatoona, whence
it was sent by telegraph to General Corse at Rome, thirty-six
miles distant from Allatoona.

"General Corse :

"Sherman directs that you move forward and join Smith's
Division with your entire command, using cars, if to be had, and
burn provisions rather than lose them.

"General \'andevere."

Kennesaw Mountain now became an important signal station ;
it was the key station, and through it all others must communicate.
The mountain consists of two peaks, which rear their summits
very prominently above the surrounding plain. The highest point
i.^ 1609 feet above sea level, and on its peak was the signal station.
All available signal men were on duty. Work at the glasses and
with flag was crowding. All the men at the station expected
the Confederates to occupy the mountain, as they were in heavy
force at Big Shanty, not two miles away, and the Union
forces did not have even a picket between the station and the
enemy. General Vandevere sent a Lieutenant and sixteen men,
who watched all night with us, grouped along the mountain'.^
brow near the station, peering into the dense gloom increased by
fog, none daring to close an eye in sleep. Here I realized the
benefit of the military training and careful instruction learned
under the leadership of Colonel Palmer, and took courage.

4O0 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

remembering I was one of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
It would have been an easy matter for the foe to capture the
station. Why did they not capture and occupy the mountain?
If the Confederates had occupied Kennesaw that night, the signal
station in their possession, no message or orders could have been
sent by Sherman to Corse, and Corse would not have "moved
his command to Allatoona ;" the "fort would not have been held ;"
the rations and supplies at Allatoona would have been lost to the
Union forces ; Sherman could not have reached the sea for months
later than he did ; England and France would have recognized the
Southern Confederacy, sent an armed fleet to raise the blockade
and the war would have been prolonged. There is one answer:
God's hand was there to rule over all !

Drearily the night passed, dawn and daylight at last came, but
no mortal eye could penetrate the dense fog till the sun arose
high, and when the wind wafted the mist away we could see and
signal.

At 12 P.M., October 4th, Kennesaw sent to Allatoona the fol-
lowing signal :

"Commanding Officer, Allatoona:

"Sherman is moving in force. Hold out.

"General Vandevere.''

Later the same day w^e sent the great signal message from Ken-
nesaw to Allatoona, and telegraphed from there to General Corse
at Rome, Ga. :

"Corse, Rome, Ga. :

"Move your command to Allatoona. Hold the place. I will
help you.

"Sherman.'"

This message was the one of greatest importance. It caused Gen-
eral Corse to move his command to the relief of Allatoona, and his
relief saved Allatoona, with all its precious stores.

General Corse in his first report direct to General Sherman,
and dated Allatoona, October 7th, says: "Started from Rome,
Ga., at 8.30 P.M., October 4th, on signal telegram from you via
Allatoona, with a portion of one brigade of my division. Arrived

"Hold the Fort." 401

here about midnight." Corse's second report, dated Rome, Ga.,
October 2y, 1864, giving details of battle of Allatoona Pass, says:
"On the 4th inst. my command was in readiness to move, but
another signal from General Sherman changed the program, and
I immediately got ready to move to Allatoona." General Corse
reached Allatoona about 1.30 a.ai., October 5th, with 1054 men.
Colonel Tourtelotte had there 905 muskets. Corse took command
of all forces, a total of 1959 men ; and soon, even before the dawn
of day, was attacked by French's Division of Confederates, num-
bering between 6000 and 7000 men and twelve guns. After four-
teen hours of skirmish and battle, in which the loss on both sides
was awful, the enemy was repulsed, the rations and stores saved,
the empty wagons of the Confederates, still empty, moved away,
and a glorious victory won for the Union.

General Sherman says : "In person I reached Kennesaw Moun-
tain about 10 A.M., October 5, 1864, and could see the smoke of
battle and hear the faint sounds of artillary. The distance (eight-
een miles) was too great for me to make in time to share in the
battle. I succeeded in getting a signal message to General Corse
during the fight, notifying him of my presence."

At 10.35 A.M.^ October 5th, Kennesaw station received from
Allatoona these signal messages :

'We hold out. Corse is here.

'Adams,

"Signal Officer."

"Allatoona, Ga., October 5, 1864.
"General Sherman :
"Corse is here.

"Tourtelotte,

"Colonel."

General Sherman's reply was sent to Allatoona, as follows:

"Kennesaw ]Mountain, October 5, 1864.
"Tell Allatoona to hold on. General Sherman says he is work-
ing hard for you."

26

402 History of the Fifteenth Peivisylrania Cavalry.
At 4.15 P.M. Allatoona signaled:

"We still hold out. Corse is wounded. Where is Sherman?

"Adams,

"Signal OfUcer."
Reply:

"Commanding Officer, Allatoona:
"Near you."

"Kennesaw Mountain, October 6, 1864.
"Allatoona :

"How is Corse? What news?

"Dayton,
"Assistant Adjutant General."

"Allatoona, October 6, 3.15 p.m.
"Capt. L. M. Dayton :

"I am short a cheek bone and one ear, but able to whip all hell
yet. My losses are very heavy. Tell me where Sherman is.

"Corse,
"Brigadier General, Commanding."

From the moment that Sherman heard that Corse was at
Allatoona he seemed satisfied with the situation, but when he read
the message to Captain Dayton he was brimful of excitement, and
cut such extra antics as only Tecumseh Sherman could when
things were moving to his liking.

Those who have read the official histories of this event may
ask how it is that this, the most important, message is not among
the official reports. In reply, I will state that many other official
papers have been lost or not published, and "not found" is
reported of many papers referred to. I have in my possession
important official papers found on Kennesaw Mountain, and no
doubt left there by General Sherman. Among them is a copy of
the secret cipher code used for cipher messages.

All signal messages sent from Kennesaw Mountain to Alla-
toona after 4 p.m. of October 3d, and on the 4th and 5th, were
sent directly over the heads of the Confederates and sent from
their rear. There is nothing so unique as this fact in all the
history of war.

''Hold the Fort." 403

Now as to the results of the battle and of the message : We
lost 7c6 men. How many the enemy lost will never be known.
We buried 231 of their dead and many were never buried. But
there were other results of this battle, vast in their import and
powerful toward bringing" the great war to a speedv close.

As stated before, at Allatoona were stored the supplies for Sher-
man's army, worth several millions of dollar.^ in gold, which had
required months to collect. General Sherman's plan to march
to the sea was well matured. He lacked only the oppor-
tunity. When Hood's troops failed to carry the forts at Allatoona,
and failed to fill their empty w^agons with the supplies there, the
opportunity came. To General Thomas, "the Rock of Chicka-
mauga," was assigned the care of Hood's forces. Sherman went
"marching through Georgia," but to do this he must have his
wagons filled with these supplies. The forces under Colonel
Tourtelotte could not have held Allatoona. This signal message
moved General Corse to reinforce Allatoona and to "Hold the
Fort."

Prof. P. P. Bliss immortalized the sentiment and truth of the
message in the gospel hymn, "Hold the Fort," cheering and
inspiring thousands of children as they sing the stirring song.

My story is ended. Not long after I again joined my Company,
and when the Regiment made its most memorable campaign and
almost captured JefT Davis, I was along. But, in later years,
when I have listened to the melody of that inspiring hymn, "Hold
the Fort," I have again gone back in imagination to that fateful
day when, on Kennesaw Mountain, I wigwagged to Allatoona to
"Hold the Fort," for Sherman w^as coming.

HOOD'S ATTACK ON RESACA, GA.

W. R. YEAGER, COMPANY C, UNIONTOWN, PA.

ON September 13, 1864, the main body of the Regiment left
Calhoun, Ga., in pursuit of General Williams' brigade of
rebel cavalry, reported as being in East Tennessee. Captain
McAllister and Lieut. Edward Smith, with a detail, were left in
charge of the wagons, sick men and horses. Lieutenant Weand,
who went with the Regiment, was taken sick on the march and
was left with a Union family at Sevierville, from which place he
was taken to a hospital at Knoxville, but, upon assuring the
medical officer that he was fit for duty, found his way to Calhoun.
Lieutenant Smith with a detail was sent to Cartersville to guard
cattle, but returned in a short time. In addition to our men there
was also a small infantry command at the post.

General Hood was now moving north to attack Nashville, and
the different posts guarding the railroad were ordered to Resaca.
The news of Hood's approach reached us barely in time for us
to make good our escape, and in our haste we lost some company
property, including our election returns. We were hotly pur-
sued, but reached Resaca safely. Our trains and horses were
parked on the south side of the river, and the men marched into the
fort. The enemy could be seen on the hill near the town, and their
battery opened on us, but their missiles passed over the fort, and
the only damage done was the stampeding of the mules and de-
struction of a number of wagons. The officer in command was,
I think, General Raum, and in the fort were several ladies, one
of whom was a daughter of General Rosseau and wife of Colonel
Watkins, of the Kentucky cavalry, whose command was either
there when we arrived or came the next day. The inspiring
nmsic of the band, the cheering of the men when we defiantly ran
up our flag, and the encouragement of the ladies inspired all
present, and besides we knew that Sherman was not far off.

Soon after reaching the fort a skirmish line was thrown out
404

Hood's Attack on Rcsaca, Ga. 405

facing the wooded hill, and the rebel skirmishers could be seen
advancing with steady movement. Firing soon commenced, and
Mrs. Watkins appeared on the ramparts and cheered the men on to
their work, moving backward and forward, waving an x\merican
flag.

Our skirmishers were partly up the hill, and made quite an ex-
tended line. As night came on and it became too dark to aim,
the firing almost ceased on part of the line. The men were then
withdrawn to the trenches and ordered to lie down and keep
up the firing. Smith Cozens, of Company L, was out in the ad-
vance and neatly placed behind a stump, which gave needed pro-
tection, but he had an idea that he was getting more than his share
of attention from the rebels. Bullets kept flying past him, and his
stump had been struck several times, when he became aware that
he was not the only one behind it. His companion was not dressed
as a soldier, but had a revolver in his hand and a pair of field
glasses across his shoulder. In answer to a question as to who he
was, the other man said that he was a correspondent of the
Cincinnati Commercial. He kept throwing his arms about
and shouting to the rebels at the top of his voice every little while,
and that drew the fire to that spot, making a target of himself and
Cozens, too. Finally, Cozens rolled over on his back, and point-
ing his carbine at the newspaper man, said : "Young fellow, if
you don't make yourself scarce, Fll put a bullet in you." He left,
and Cozens continued his work without extra attention bemg
paid to him.

The next morning the rebels opened on the fort with two field
pieces, which did little damage, although a shell from one of them
exploded in the fort. Out on the skirmish line could be seen heavy
columns of their infantry moving north, and scouts we had sent
out reported in the morning that the movement had continued all
through the night.

For two days Resaca was closely invested by General Cleburn's
Division of Hood's army. They made several attempts to carry
the outer works, but failed, as the resistance was too strong. Late
in the afternoon of the second day's siege the advance of General
Sherman's army appeared in sight, and soon division after division
debouched from the forests south of Resaca and bivouacked
around the place.

4o6 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

During the siege the enemy had destroyed the railroad from
Resaca to Tunnel Hill, a distance of twenty-three miles. Captain
McAllister with forty men was then sent by Major-General How-
ard toward Spring Place, for the purpose of ascertaining whether
the enemy designed to evade the pursuit of our army by retreat-
ing in a southeasterly direction. When he reached Spring Place
he found that a small party of rebels had been there, but that
Plood's army had moved west from Resaca toward Lafayette.
• Early next morning the detachment joined Colonel Watkins"
brigade and moved in advance of General Sherman's command to
Lafayette, Ga. At this place Lieutenant Weand, with about
twenty men, remained with Colonel Watkins and Captain Mc-
Allister and the remainder of our men marched to Chattanooga.

At Gaylesville, Ala., where Sherman halted in his pursuit of
Hood, Lieutenant Weand was ordered to report to Sherman's
headquarters, where the General in person directed him to carry
dispatches to General Corse at Rome. The march was to be at
night, and when in response to the General's question as to
whether he was familiar with the road or had a guide, Lieutenant
Weand answered, "No," the General stated that one of his first
duties after graduating from West Point was in that part of the
country, and described with particularity the road to be taken and
where danger might be expected. After delivering his dispatches
at Rome, the detail was oredred to Calhoun, to report to Colonel
McCook. On the way they were attacked by guerrillas, but suf-
fered no loss. From Calhoun they marched to Chattanooga and
rejoined the Regiment.

FORAGING WHEN HOOD CUT OUR CRACKER LINE.

SAML. BAILEY, COMPANY H, DANVILLE, PA.

THOSE who came in contact with Gen. Geo. H. Thomas soon
learned his sentiments about foraging. One member of
Company K had it forcibly impressed upon him.

General Thomas' view of foraging when the Government ra-
tions were regularly issued was that it was stealing. He held that
the inhabitants of the country which the army traversed were neces-
sarily great sufferers even if the best of discipline was main-
tained and the least harm possible was done by the army. But
after we reached Atlanta, and the rebel General Hood got in our
rear and cut our communications, so that our supplies were run-.
ning short, the situation was changed.

General Thomas was a kind-hearted man, but he was every
inch a soldier, and took care of those under his command, both
man and beast. When necessity required it, he sent out wagon
trains of 600 to 800 wagons for forage. They usually drove out
from Atlanta fifteen or twenty miles the first day, and parked.
The next day half of them went farther out until they found corn,
when they stopped and loaded up all the wagons and returned to
the camp. The following day the balance of the wagons went
out and loaded and returned. The fourth day the whole wagon
train returned to Atlanta.

I have seen the wagons drive into a twenty-acre field of corn
and clear it all off. Sometimes the women would come out and
beg to have it left, as it was all they had to live on, and in many
cases appearances indicated that the statement was true. It was
sometimes heartrending, but war knows not mercy when neces-
sity calls. It goes to prove that General Sherman was not mis-
taken when he said "War is hell."

After the capture of Atlanta a detail from Companies H and K
were located in a house in the city, to be convenient to General
Thomas' headquarters as dispatch bearers. When the wagon
trains were sent out for forage, two or three of us went along and

407

4o8 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

foraged for ourselves. On one of these trips the writer came in
at night to the camp with a pig and a number of chickens strapped
to his saddle, but a young sheep, which had been driven part of the
time, had to be carried the balance of the six miles, as it was foot-
sore and not able to walk the whole distance.

On another trip the writer had the pleasure of a wild boar hunt
all alone. Coming across a bunch of some twenty shotes in the
woods, the first thought was that if one could be captured it would
m.ake nice eating. But they were so wild that it was almost im-
possible to get within rifle shot of them. As a revolver was my
oidy weapon strategy seemed to be the only chance, and after
nmnerous failures to get within hopeful shooting distance I almost
concluded to give it up. Still the attempt must be made once
more. When I was probably 150 to 200 yards off they threw up
their heads to listen ; another step in the dry leaves, and they would
be off, with a boohoo, like a streak. So, just for the fun of it, I
"drew my revolver to take one shot before leaving them, as farther
pursuit was useless. I took very deliberate aim and fired. To my
astonishment my porker fell ; so two of us were greatly surprised.
No, no — not a crack shot, but a chance shot ; but it answered the
purpose just as well, as it gave us a porker of forty or fifty pounds
of fine eating. Coming to a house where there were some fine
chickens, it seemed to be a good chance to load up quickly. But
the women pleaded for them as the only thing they had in the
way of meat, and as I had gone over the mountain alone, and
was the only "Yank" in that valley, it seemed likely they would not
be taken by anyone else, so I left them and got a supply elsewhere.

This foraging was no snap, although we snapped onto anything
eatable when the rebels did not snap onto us, as they did some-
times when we were rooting for sweet potatoes. Two of us re-
turned to Atlanta after this trip of two days' foraging with one
very fine yearling calf, three pigs weighing about 45, 100 and 175
pounds, two yearling sheep, two geese, ten chickens and three bags
of sweet potatoes. We divided the spoils with the officers, but
that was one occasion when the officers did not get the first choice.
Imagine soldiers — privates — living on such rations ! We wxre not
seriously demoralized by it, as it was only ten days until we got
marching orders for Chattanooga, and so had to leave most of
our hard-earned commissary supplies behind.

SECOND EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN.

FIRST LIEUT. JOHN F. CONAWAY, COMPANY B, PHILADELPHIA.

ON September 13, 1864, the Regiment, under command of
Col. Wm. J. Palmer, broke camp at Calhoun, Ga., and
started on what we call our "Second East Tennessee Cam-
paign." Captain McAllister with a small portion of the com-
mand, and most of the wagons containing the regimental property,
were left at Calhoun.

In this campaign the Regiment eventually became the advance
of an expedition in force under General Gillem to assist General
Burbridge in an effort to capture the salt works at Abingdon,
Va.

On the 15th the Regiment encamped near the Hiwassee River,
and while there rumors reached us that a large force of rebel
cavalry had crossed the Tennessee River and were marching on
Athens. It transpired that this rumor was false, and the com-
mand m.oved on from day to day until the 19th of September, when
we reached Sevierville, and remained there until the 24th, when
on that day orders were received by Colonel Palmer from General
Thomas to move his command to Bull's Gap and join the force
there under General Gillem.

The march was resumed on the 25th, and passing through
Dandridge we arrived at Bull's Gap on the 26th. General Gil-
lem's command, consisting of two regiments of Tennessee cavalry,
a battalion each of Kentucky and Michigan cavalry, with a force
of infantry and artillery, in all about 2500 men, were encamped at
that place.

The active work of the campaign began at once. The column
moved out on the 27th, the Fifteenth being in the rear during the
march of that day and the 28th — the night of the 27th encamped
at Greenville and night of 28th at Leesburg.

A few rebel scouts were captured, and the whole force was under
arms on the night of the 28th, expecting an attack by the enemy.

409

410 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

On the 29th the Fifteenth was given the advance of the vv^hole
command, and Company D, as an advance guard, struck the rebel
pickets in the morning and chased them through the town of
Jonesboro, capturing some of them. The enemy endeavored to
make a stand the other side of the town, but soon broke and dis-
appeared. A considerable force, however, was soon encountered,
and a running fight ensued, in which about one-half of our Regi-
ment was engaged, the balance acting as a reserve. The rebels,
supposed to be about 200 strong, slowly retreated to the Watauga
River, which they crossed at Devault's Ford, having sustained
a loss of several men killed and captured. Brisk skirmishing was
kept up at the ford for some time, when orders were received from
General Gillem to fall back on Jonesboro, which the Regiment did,
in a drenching rain, and went into bivouac at 11 p. m.

On the 30th the whole force advanced to Carter's Station, at
the crossing of the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad over the
Watauga River, where the enemy, under General Vaughan, was
found to be in force, and so posted as to prevent our crossing of
the river. After a brisk fight they were driven over the river and
an artillery duel followed.

Our Regiment at this time was in the rear, when orders were
received from the Commanding General to move to the front at
once. The road was cleared for us, and we were greeted as we
moved forward with this cheering remark from some of the Ten-
nessee cavalrymen as they made way for us : "Here come the
dragoons! they'll give 'em h — 1!" The fight continued at the
Station, the enemy holding their ground on the opposite side of the
river. In the m.idst of it orders were received for us to move
at once again to Devault's Ford, the Sixteenth Kentucky Cavalry
at that place having been driven back. In this movement our
Regiment was divided, both parts meeting, by different roads, at
the ford about midnight, to find that the enemy had retreated.

The fight at Carter's Station was over, the rebels retreating
from their position during the night and the next day. This was
ascertained on October 2d, when Captain Wagner with two of our
companies crossed the Watauga and ascertained that they had
made a forced march the night before, by way of Bristol, into
Virginia. General Gillem was informed of this, but no forward
movement was made, although, cannonading was heard from' the

UROUP OF FIELD AND STAFF

Adjt. J. C. Reif=f O-M. John VV. Johnston Com. Chas. S. Hinchman

Maj. A. B. (iarner Lt. Col. Chas. M. Betts Gen. W. J. Palmer Maj.Wm. Wagner

Second East Tciuicsscc Campaign. 411

direction of Abingdon, indicating the presence at that place of
General Burbridge from Kentucky.

About dusk on October 3d, Colonel Palmer with the Regiment
crossed the Watauga, to communicate, if possible, with General
Burbridge. Marched nearly all night and bivouacked near
Blountsville. At daylight on the 4th a small body of rebels was
encountered in the town and routed. Rumors reached us here
that Burbridge had been defeated at Abingdon.

We then moved to Kingsport, and on October 5th, Colonel
Palmer with seventy-five picked men, well mounted, started to
communicate with General Burbridge — the balance of the Regi-
ment being under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Lamborn.

At daylight the next morning there was brisk firing heard on
the Blountsville road. Lieutenant Kirk, in command of the picket
guard on that road, had been attacked. "Boots and saddles" w^as
sounded, and we were "standing to horse," waiting for the com-
mand "to mount," when news came that the enemy had been
driven back on their main force.

We probably did not all realize it at the time, but our position
was certainly a perilous one. and the command was moved to the
other side of the Holston River, opposite the tovvn. Parker, of
Company D, who had been left on duty in the old camp for a
few minutes after the Regiment had left, had a narrow escape
from capture, and we could see him as he was being chased at a
furious gallop by the advance of the Rebel cavalry. Our com-
mand was well posted on the south bank of the river, the line ex-
tending through an orchard near a house facing the river, and this
part of the line was taken up by Company L The rebels in con-
siderable force soon appeared.

Captain Kramer with a few men was sent to guard a ford a
few miles above. He scouted for some distance and returned,
reporting that there were 300 rebels at that time in the town.

The fight at Kingsport began about noon and lasted until dark.
Many of our boys made narrow escapes in this encounter, but they
held their position and kept up the firing with enthusiasm. Wight-
man, of Company I, was severely wounded by a shot through the
wrist.

Soon after Captain Kramer rejoined us the Regiment moved
out on the road to Rogersville, and after a few hours' march

412 History of the Fifteenth Pennsykania Cavalry.

bivouacked for the night. We were expecting to be pursued by
the enemy, and at dayhght on the morning of October 7th the
march was resumed, still on the Rogersville road. When about
seven miles from the town the advance guard was shot at by
guerrillas from a house on the roadside. There was no delay in
the march, however, and the command kept on to where the roads
forked — one road in the direction of Rogersville and the other to
McKinney's Ford, on the north fork of the Holston River.

Captain Wagner with two companies took the road to Rogers-
ville, and the main column pushed on to the ford. Captain
Wagner after marching a few miles was compelled to leave the
Rogersville road and rejoin the column, being heavily bush-
whacked— the country being very favorable for guerrilla opera-
tions.

This movement of Wagner's was a fortunate one for the Regi-
ment. When the rebels, under Col. W. C. P. Breckenridge,
reached the forks of the road, the question with them was which
force to pursue. If we were to be attacked it must be done before
we crossed the Holston. The road to McKinney's Ford was the
perpendicular of a triangle, while the road to Rogersville was the
hypothenuse. Those who had gone to the ford would probably
have crossed before they could be reached, but Wagner, on the
longer march, was sure to be caught ; so the men with the best
horses were sent after the Fifteenth, while the balance of the
enemy hastened after Wagner, but failed to see that he had left
that road after traveling it for a couple of miles.

As we neared the banks of the Holston, at McKinney's Mills,
and were marching along quietly, a furious attack was made on
the rear guard under Lieutenant White, the extreme rear under
Sergeant Reeseman being severely pressed. Major Betts with his
orderly John Sherrick hastened to the assistance of the rear guard,
and after a hand-to-hand fight drove them off.

The road for some distance before reaching the ford ran along
the base of a steep bluff at least fifty feet high and on the river's
bank. The advance had reached the ford, when, as we were
moving on, Sherrick, of Company G, orderly to Major Betts, hap-
pened to look up, and seeing a number of rebels peering down at
us from the edge of the bluff, exclaimed, "Major, there they are
now!" Orders were at once given for Companies I and L, dis-

Second East Tennessee Campaign. 413

mounted, to ascend the bluff, which they did by a narrow road or
pathway which led to a house on the summit. The enemy seeing
this movement fell back to the edge of a woods on the other side
of a corn field in front of the house. Our boys were soon posted,
one at the end of each row of corn, and in a few moments the
order of the rebel Commander was distinctly heard: "Forward,
charge!" and down they came upon us as fast as their horses
could carry them. We held our ground as long as possible. Some
of our carbines, for some reason or other, missed fire, but enough
execution was done to check the charge before we retreated down
the bluff and, with torn clothes and many bruises, regained our
horses in the road below. Lieutenant Field with about fifteen men
mounted in a few minutes reached the summit, and charged the
enemy and then returned to the road. A brisk fire was then
opened from the bluff on our column as it kept steadily crossing
the ford. All this time the rear guard was engaged, the enemy
.being repulsed and charged, by our boys three or four times. In
the charge the -rebels made on the bluff, some of them, in their
haste, dismounted and slid down, and were taken prisoners by the
rear guard. There were a number of the enemy killed and
wounded, and two Lieutenants and eight men fell into our hands
as. prisoners. Part of the command succeeded in crossing the
river at the commencement of the engagement, and kept up a
brisk fire from the opposite side, thereby rendering valuable assist-
ance to the balance of the column as it crossed over.

The fight at McKinney's Ford was one of the most picturesque
and romantic — if these are the proper terms to use — of any en-
gagement in which any portion of the Regiment ever participated.

The conformation of the ground, the nature of the attack, and
the repulse after a long pursuit, the fact that our entire command
succeeded in crossing the river without the loss of a man — all
these make this encounter a most remarkable one, and long to be
remembered by those who participated. Our numerical strength
was, all told, not more than 225 officers and men.

The command having crossed the river, halted a short time,
expecting the enemy to follow. They did not, however, and the
march was resumed to Bull's Gap, arriving there at dusk on
October 8th.

The Resfiment then moved to Russellville, and on the nth took

414 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

up the march for Knoxville, and on the 15th orders were received
to report at Chattanooga, which place was reached by easy
marches, the Regiment going into camp on the 22d at Camp
Lingle, where we were joined by Colonel Palmer, who had left
us with seventy-five men at Kingsport on October 5th.

It may be proper to mention that nothing had been heard of
Colonel Palmer and the seventy-five men with him — certainly up
to our return to Bull's Gap — on October 8th, and there was much
anxiety in the command on that account.

There were many letters written by our boys to their parents and
friends at home at this time. The following is an extract from one
of them, written October 8th: "We have heard nothing from
Colonel Palmer since he left us except that during the fight
at Kingsport a rebel yelled across the river, 'Where is Colonel
Palmer? We have gobbled him and his 75 picked men and we'll
soon have you.' We think he is safe, however, and will return
to the regiment even if he is compelled to go hundreds of miles
out of his way to do so. We are anxious about hhn, for when he
has to leave us we realize our loss, and all agree that no
man can command us like he can. Be sure and allow nothing to
be made public in respect to his whereabouts that might in any
way reach the rebel lines."

The Second East Tennessee Campaign was only one of many in
which we participated during our nearly three years' service, but
taken altogether it was a splendid illustration of those sterling
qualities of the true Union soldier — intelligence, endurance, loyalty
and bravery which ever characterized the members of the Fif-
teenth Pennsvlvania Volunteer Cavalrv.

SCOUT TO FIXD GENERAL BURBRIDGE.

CAPT. CHAS. E. SCHEIDE, COMPANY K, NEW YORK.

THE ride of Colonel Palmer and his party of seventy-five
men through the almost impassable region of southwest
Virginia to the west branch of the Big Sandy, in Ken-
tucky, and thence to its mouth at Catlettsburg, a distance of 225
miles, was one of the most extraordinary of the many remarkable
but almost unknown feats of the Anderson Cavalry.

Colonel Palmer was accompanied by Capts. Wm. F. Colton,
Frank Remont and Lieutenants Blight and Ed. C. Smith.

Serg. Geo. W. Spencer. Company D, acted as Sergeant Major
of the detachment, and First Serg. John- K. Marshall was the
orderly. It was unusual for our First Sergeants to accompany
expeditions of this character, as their duties were with their
companies ; but the hazardous nature of the trip so appealed to
Marshall that when his first application to Major Betts was re-
fused, for the above reason, he asked to be reduced to the ranks
and then detailed as one of the party, and the chivalric request so
touched the Major that he gave his consent, and Marshall got
permission to go.

Starting about noon, on the 5th of October, from the camp of
the Regiment at the foot of Clinch Mountain, near Kingsport,
Tenn., the men, who had an inkling of their hazardous journey
from the fact that the Colonel himself accompanied them, shouted
a good-by to their Comrades, declaring they were ''bound for
Richmond," /. c, Libby Prison.

We moved out on the road to Lebanon, Va., in an easterly
direction and north of Clinch Mountain. During the after-
noon several small parties of rebels were chased by the advance
guard, under command of Serg. A. P. Lyon, and one of the enemy
v/as killed and another wounded. As the natives were taken
entirely by surprise, a number of good horses were captured, there
being no tim.e to conceal them. The party went into camp at
nightfall, having marched twenty-five miles, carefully barricading

415

41 6 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

the roads front and rear, to prevent surprise. During the night
negroes came in, giving the Colonel intelligence of the proximity
of the rebel cavalry on all sides, and from them he obtained a
tolerable idea of the country around, which enabled him to pro-
ceed intelligibly. At daybreak Sergeant Becker, of Company E,
with twenty-five men, who were started fifteen minutes before
the rest, drove in the rebel pickets about three miles ahead, fell
back one mile and joined the column on the road, when they all
turned ofif to the left, and taking across the fields for some dis-
tance, entered the Moccasin Valley, which was followed for about
ten miles.

Up to this time the Colonel had been without guides, other than
negroes — farm hands — whose limited knowledge of the country
rendered their services of but little value ; and it being absolutely
necessary for his safety, he impressed a citizen named Henderson,
who, thinking we were rebels, was trying to escape from his farm.
He proved an excellent guide, as Jie was a loyal Union man and
thoroughly acquainted with the country. Henderson accompanied
us across Osborn Gap, to the western foot of the Cumberland
Mountains in Kentucky, when, despite the urgent remon-
strance of Colonel Palmer, who feared his capture, he concluded
to return home. The Colonel gave him a horse and some cofifee
for his wife and bade him good by. No more was heard of him
until Colonel Prentice came into our camp, in April, 1865, at Lin-
colnton, N. C, under a flag of truce, bearing word from General
Sherman that he had made an armistice with Joe Johnston. At
luncheon Colonel Prentice informed Colonel Palmer that he had
all the roads and trails completely blockaded and ambuscaded that
led from our Stone Mountain Camp on the Burbridge expedition ;
that it would have been impossible for any of us to escape, but
for the obscure Crane's Nest trail we took and that there was but
one man (Henderson) who could have guided us by that. He
added that they captured him in Kentucky shortly after he had
left us, and that he was shot while endeavoring to make his escape.

The march ^yas then resumed with vigor, and at noon we
reached Robinson's post-office, where a mail was captured and
firearms taken from the postmaster. After a short halt here we
moved on, taking the Stone Mountain road in the direction of
Guests Station. When within a short distance of that place it was

Scout to Find General Biirbridge. 417

ascertained that a small number of Prentice's Brigade of rebel
guerrilla cavalry — this Prentice was a son of the editor of the
Louisville Journal — were at the Station with three wagonloads of
provisions, which our boys were much in need of. Dividing
into three squads we made a descent upon the place by
different routes, finding no wagons and but few soldiers. One
of the enemy was killed, one wounded — Captain Jones — and one
captured. A fine horse was also captured here.

Guests Station was a hamlet of three or four houses and a
smithy, and seemed to be a considerable coal depot. The command
went into camp on an eminence near the station, having marched
circuitously during the day thirty-three miles, through a rough
country, abounding in beautiful and romantic scenery. The men
fed on mutton, being entirely out of rations.

Our pickets were shot at nearly all the night, but in spite of the
fact that we were in the midst of a large number of guerrillas,
all but our sentinels slept soundly and at daylight were again in
the saddle, fresh for a start. By this time Colonel Palmer had
become thoroughly acquainted with the extent of the disaster that
had overtaken Burbridge's command while in this State, and
knowing that Burbridge had certainly retreated into Kentucky,
the Colonel determined to leave also, and "not stand upon the
order of his going." At daylight on the 7th of October we
moved out on the Gladesville road and resumed our perilous jour-
ney, a perfect shower of rebel bullets from all the surrounding
hills accompanying us.

This rriove on the Gladesville road was a feint, as Colonel Palmer
had no intention to go by that way, knowing he would be ambus-
caded. After a short distance, we left a small force to conceal our
real movement, and suddenly turning to the right, passed over a
small stream and entered a dense forest, called the "Crane's Nest."
A miserable narrow road or trace lay through this thicket, which
was used by the rebels as a mail route during the war. After
some miles of this "trace" and coming out into a back road, which
we followed, parallel to the Gladesville road, the advance cap-
tured one of Prentice's men, with his lady love, who were jogging
along together, on the same horse, enjoying each other's com-
pany. This interruption by their Northern cousins was a great
surprise. The soldier lover accepted the invitation to accompany

27

4i8 History of the Fifteenth Peiinsylz'aiiia Cavalry.

the column, and left his diilcinea, who was given the option to
go with us or not, by the roadside. As we moved on, she called
after us, unemotionally, "Take good care of him, he is a nice fel-
low." The mail road was pursued until afternoon, when a halt
was made to kill beef and roast some potatoes at a small cabin
and clearing at the eastern foot of the Cumberland Mountains.
Colonel Prentice later told Colonel Palmer that he had come uj)
to this cabin with his force just after we had started on, and after
following us a while up the Cumberland Mountains, it became
so dark that they gave up the pursuit.

After "dining" we pushed on to Osborn's Gap, in the Cum-
berland Mountains, but ascertaining that it was thoroughly block-
aded, a citizen guide, by the name of Haines, was found, who
took us to the mountain-top by a dangerous trail. As it was very
dark it was not noticed and no accident occurred. As the com-
mand was obliged to ascend the mountain in single file, one of the
prisoners, the lover, took advantage of the circumstance and the
darkness to slip off his horse and escape down the steep mountain.
The noise he made was thought to be that of a displaced rock.
The horse was tied to a sapling and in the pitch darkness a third
of the command, unaware that there was no rider, were halted
also, blocking the road and a large number of the party were lost
for several hours. The head of the column arrived on the sum-
mit about eleven v.m. and went into camp, when it was discovered
that the rear was lost. Thev had to be sent back for and it was
nearly dawn before thev arrived at our bivouac. The tempera-
ture was at the freezing point and the wind was blowing a hurri-
cane, while the men were clad in thin blouses of their summer
uniform. The distance marched this day was thirty-two miles.
The rebels did not annoy the column long after starting, or
follow it very far. The advent of the Andersons among them was
tmdoubtedly a complete surprise, and the enemy were so widely
scattered that no considerable number could be collected to oft'er
battle, and thus this gallant party, by the maintenance of the best
discipline and rapid marching, went through the ordeal unscathed.

We were now comparatively out of harm's way. xA-fter a poor
attempt at attaining personal comfort during the night, early on
the morning of the 8th commenced the descent of the mountains
into the vallevs of Kentuckv, a distance of three miles.

Scout to Find General Biirbridgc. 419

The inhabitants found at the foot, on either side of the moun-
tains, were the most profoundly ignorant and squaHdly poor that
had yet been met in the South. Indeed, it was a matter of great
surprise to the command to find such a low grade of white human
nature in the limits of the United States. All the hovels passed
were visited by some one of the officers to obtain information —
never, however, to find a man about. They were all out in the
woods either with Colonel Prentice's command or hiding to es-
cape rebel impressment, or, as more usually, to bushwhack us.
While "dining" at the cabin above mentioned, one of our officers
asked a comely lass, who waited on them, where her father was?
"Gone a-sanging," she replied. "Where are your brothers?'"
"Gone a-sanging." "What do you mean by 'gone a-sanging'?"
asked another ofificer. "Oh, gone after sang.' This caused a
profound silence, which only Captain Colton had the temerity at
last to break. "What is sang?" inquired the Captain. "Dollar
a pound," said the girl in the same nonchalant voice. It appeared
that the principal occupation of these people was the gathering of
ginseng, which grew in abundance on the mountain-side.

One of General Burbridge's officers on the Salt W^orks Expedi-
tion told Colonel Palmer that their experience was similar. They
never found a man at home, but met the crack of a bushwhacker's
rifle at nearly every turn in the wooded road. He reined up at a
cabin and asked a small boy where his father was ? The boy hesi-
tated for a while and then said, "I'll go ask mammy," and went
inside, closing the door. After a few moments he came out and re-
plied briskly, "He's been dead two years."

The route on the 8th lay through a pleasant valley, watered by
the western tributaries of the Big Sandy River. After marching
thirty miles we encamped at Frazier's distillery. The neighbor-
hood teemed with these manufactories of spirituous liquors — a
dangerous place in which to encamp soldiers, fatigued with a long
and perilous march — they had marched 120 miles in three and a
half days, among and over mountains all the way — but greatly to
their credit, not a man became intoxicated.

At Frazier's it was ascertained that the rear of General Bur-
bridge's command was at Prestonburg, twenty miles distant, and
a party of rebels were reported at the mouth of Mud Creek, some
five miles awav. Colonel Palmer, learning that it was the inten-

420 History of the Fifteenth Pciinsylzxmia Cavalry.

tion of the Union forces to leave Prestonburg at sunrise next
morning, sent forward a courier to advise the commanding ofificer
of his approach, and also sent a scouting party to look after the
rebels at Mud Creek. The latter party returned at midnight,
finding no enemy.

On the 9th of October the command marched leisurely to Pres-
tonburg, Ky., a distance of twenty miles, which was reached
shortly after three o'clock, and Colonel Palmer reported to Gen-
eral Hobson, in command, who had waited a day for him. The
troops at this place had just returned from the attempt at Abing-
don, Va., and were most thoroughly demoralized. When they
started on the expedition into southwest Virginia they were
splendidly equipped with all the latest adopted improvements in
arms and accouterments. Now they were entirely stripped, in
some instances even of necessary clothing, everything cumbering
them having been thrown away in their disgraceful rout, and they
seemed to be also without organization.

This union of the detachment with the forces they had started
from Kingsport to reach, ended our mission, and Colonel Palmer
directed his attention to rejoining the Regiment as speedily as
possible. The only practicable route was by way of Catlettsburg,
Ky., to Cincinnati and Louisville. This was followed, and on the
night of the 12th the detachment reached Catlettsburg, at the
mouth of the Big Sandy River, a distance of eighty-two miles from
Prestonburg. On the morning of the 13th we embarked on the
steamer "Telegraph" for Cincinnati, which place was reached on
the morning of the 14th. On debarking we immediately became
a source of great attraction, as we were the first body of cavalry
that had ever entered that city direct from the seat of war. On
the night of the 15th of October we left Cincinnati on the steamer
"Dumont," and arriving in Louisville, at noon of <the 6th, marched
to the Government stables and housed our animals. Colonel
Palmer afterward made arrangements with the Quarterriiaster
Department to draw a number of fresh horses for the almost dis-
mounted Regiment in Tennessee.

RECOLLECTIONS OF THE BURBRIDGE TRIP.

LIEUT. SELDEN L. WILSON, COMPANY 1, WASHINGTON, PA.

THE following are a few incidents of a hard march that
seventy-five of us, under Colonel Palmer, made in the fall
of 1864, to find General Burbridge. We started from
Kingsport,East Tennessee, near the boundary line of Virginia, and
marched north through part of that State and Kentucky, and never
stopped until we reached the Ohio River, having plenty of excite-
ment on the road.

The morning we started I had been on picket all night, but
when relieved was ordered to report for scout duty. Fortunately,
while on picket the night before, eight or ten fine specimens of
poultry wandered into our post, and after being deprived of their
plumage, etc., they landed in a large cast-iron kettle, and before
daylight were cooked and divided among those on picket. I think
my share was two, and they made several splendid lunches.

We started, and it was not long before we came up with some
rebels, who showed a disposition to contest our right to proceed,
but, with an advance guard in charge of "Pat'' Lyon, they did
not even check us. They made a stand several times, but always
and with the same result except at one time, when Lyon was
demanding the surrender of one of them, riding side and side.
The rebel had fired several shots at Lyon, and for his own per-
sonal safety, after making repeated demands to "surrender," he
shot the rebel in the temple, killing him instantly. When the
column came up there were quite a number of women and chil-
dren gathered around the body, who thought it was ter^ible we had
no time to bury him, but the Colonel told the citizens to do it
themselves. We were the first Yankees who had been in that
country. For two or three days, while we were driving some
rebels in front of us, there were always some annoying us in the
rear, and we would go into camp with rebels in sight, both in
front and in the rear of us.

421

422 History of the Fifteenth Peiuisylzauia Cavalry.

One night I had charge of the advance picket post. Captain
Remont directed me where to locate the post and vedette. We
were in a forest of tall trees, so dark that one could scarcely see
the sky. W. K. Long was the first man on duty, and he was
placed a few rods in advance of a small bridge. After posting
him I returned to the reserve, and had been there but a short time '
when I heard two shots, and at once mounted my horse, rode
out and called, "Halloo, Long!" when he replied, "He didn't get
me." "Did you get him?" I asked. '"Don't know, but I shot
in the direction where I saw the flash of his gun." We made a
search, but did not find anyone. I then placed Long back of the
bridge and took up some planks, and then went to camp to report
to the Colonel, and found him sound asleep. After waking him
I told him what had happened, and his reply was, "Sergeant, you
take care of them until morning, and I will look after them then."
Xext morning we ate what we called a breakfast — fried mutton
and the crumbs out of the bottom of our haversacks — with the
rebels firing at us from the hilltop, but too far away to do any
harm except annoy our horses.

One day I was ordered by the Colonel to take the men, cross
the river (I don't remember the name), go to an apple-jack dis-
tillery and get w^hat information I could about Colonel Prentice's
regiment of rebel cavalry. We crossed the river at a very rough,
rocky ford, and were soon at the distillery, which was a regular
moonshine establishment, without any building, set up in the
orchard where they were getting the apples to distill. There were
a number of citizens there, and some had guns. I approached two
who were sitting on the fence, and asked them if there had been
any soldiers there lately. One of them replied : "Yes ; four of
Colonel Prentice's men just left here." "How far is it up to
Colonel Prentice's camp?" "Oh, just a little way up the branch."
"Have there been any Yankees in this section?'' "Never saw a
Yank near here ; they know better than to come in here." Having
secured all the information desired, and not wishing to have any
trouble with Colonel Prentice, when turning to leave them I said,
"How do you like the looks of the Yankees?" when they almost
fell ofif the fence. \\'e recrossed the river, caught up with the
column and reported to Colonel Palmer, when he remarked, "If
Colonel Prentice will let us alone, we will him, but if he follows

Recollections of the Burhridge Trip. 423

us we will make it warm for him." He did not follow, and I was
glad of it.

The next night we were traveling on a mountain, from which
we could see the camp fires of Colonel Prentice in the valley below.
We had a number of prisoners, some mounted on mules, and the
pass or trail we were following was only wide enough to allow us
to go single file. I was in rear with the guard when the column
halted. After a while I thought I heard sabers rattling in front,
but those immediately in front of me did not move. After calling
to them several times to go ahead, w^hout any move being made,
I crowded my way past twelve or fifteen men and animals, when
I found a mule, without a rider, tied to a sniall sapling. A pris-
oner had dismounted, tied the mule and skipped out. We were
not long catching up with the column.

I will never forget when we got oiT that mountain, two days
later, and came to a road wide enough to accommodate a sled.
We had been marching on trails for three days. An old cow
among the laurel bushes greeted us with her bell, and it made the
sweetest music I ever heard. I think that evening we arrived at
Prestonburg, Ky., on the Big Sandy River, where we found
General Burbridge's command in not very good shape, after the
whipping the rebels gave them. Next day we marched to Catletts-
burg, at the mouth of the Big Sandy, on the Ohio River. There
was some clothing issued there, but no pants long enough for me,
and I had to wear my rubber overalls to cover the holes in mine.

Plere we got aboard the steamboat "Telegraph." The first stop
was at fronton, Ohio, to take on a cargo of stoves. We then had
with us about twenty as fine-looking colored men as could be
found. They had joined us as we came along, most of them
bringing a horse from the plow, or whatever they happened to be
working. We understood the boat would lay there for several
hours, and. being in Ohio, there were no restrictions placed on us.
We had not been there long when it was discovered that the enlist-
ing officers were enlisting the colored men who came with us, and
putting them in as substitutes, giving them a small amount of
greenbacks, and no doubt receiving quite a snug sum for each one.
When the Colonel learned what was going on. everyone was
hustled on board and a guard kept the enlisting officers away.

We arrived at Cincinnati in the evening. As we were march-

424 H is tor

■y of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

ing up the wharf from the boat we passed in front of a large
stone building, where there were a number of women making
Government clothing. Some of them tempted us by shaking coats
and pants at us, and I assure \"0U many of us needed them badly.

We remained in Cincinnati two or three days, drawing clothing
and getting horses shod, when we embarked on a steamboat for
Louisville. It was loaded with sutler stores, and I know there
was quite an amount short when they were unloaded. We
m.arched from Louisville to Nashville, and at Bowling Green held
an election in a corncrib. It never rained harder than just then.
There were sixty-two votes polled, fifty-seven of which were for
Lincoln. There was nothing of any importance the rest of the
trip. We soon joined the balance of the Regiment in camp at
Wauhatchie Station, west of Lookout Mountain.

THE REAR GUARD AT McKIXXEVS FORD.

LIEUT. D. C. WHITE, COMPANY F, MARYVILLE, MO.

DURING September of 1864 our Regiment, under the com-
mand of Col. William J. Palmer, was in East Tennessee
watching the enemy, and harassing them in every way
possible. The command was engaged in a number of pitched
battles of more or less importance.

About the ist of October, 1864, the Regiment found itself in
the vicinity of Kingsport, on the Holston River. The rebel Gen-
eral Vaughan was operating through that part of the country with
a large body of men, and we were there to watch his operations,
hold him in check and do him all the damage possible. About
this time Colonel Palmer with a body of about seventy-five picked
men was ordered to go through to General Burbridge, who had
been operating in east Kentucky and on toward the salt works in
Virginia, with dispatches apprising him of the movements of the
rebel General Prentice, who with a large force was also operating
in that country. This left the balance of the Regiment, about 300
strong, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Charles B. Lamborn.
with instructions to watch the enemy under Vaughan, but not to
allow himself to be cut off or drawn into a general fight, as the
enemy was in much larger force than we were.

'During the summer and fall this part of the country had been
so raided over by the cavalry of both armies that forage and
subsistence of all kinds was getting scarce, and the Regiment
found itself without anything to eat or any forage for their horses.
Colonel Lamborn, therefore, sent scouting parties through the
country, with instructions to gather up all the flour and feed they
could find. They succeeded in finding quite a lot of flour, and it
was taken into Kingsport, and the women of the town were put to
work baking it into bread.

I remember I had charge of the bread-baking department, and
that I had some trouble inducing some of the women to bake

425

426 History of flic Fiftccntli Pennsylvania Cavalry.

bread for the "Yankees." It was about midnight when the work
was finished and the bread brought into camp. I think this bread
must have resembled that baked by the children of Israel when
they were about to leave Egypt. However, it supplied a long-felt
want, and was distributed to the Regiment as a regular ration
that night. About daylight in the morning, or perhaps a little
before, there were indications that General Vaughan w-as advanc-
ing, for our pickets were attacked on several roads about the same
time.

The Regiment was soon in the saddle and ready to resist any
advance that might be made. We held our position until toward
noon, when we crossed the river to the south side and guarded
the fords for several miles along the river. There was a smart
engagement at Widow Phipps' plantation, and we had one man
wounded. Colonel Lamborn maneuvered the Regiment in such
a way as to make the enemy think we intended holding our posi-
tion indefinitely, but about dark the Regiment quietly commenced
falling back in the direction of Bull's Gap, intending to ford the
river at McKinney's Mill. I had been put on as officer of the
day that morning, so when the command commenced falling liiack
I was naturally left in command of the rear guard of sixteen men.
The Regiment made good time until about midnight, when it went
into camp, which came near being a fatal mistake. The rear
guard now became the outer pickets.

Toward morning we could faintly hear the movements of the
enemy, and knew they were advancing on us. I sent a man in to
notify the Lieutenant Colonel of wdiat we heard, and he imme-
diately had the command aroused, without any bugle call or
other noise, and at once started "advancing backward," my six-
teen men taking their position as rear guard, keeping about a half
mile in rear of the Regiment. About 8 o'clock the rebels made a
dash at us. We immediately turned and stood them off as best
we could, giving them to understand that they couldn't run over
us roughshod without saying as much as "by your leave." After
checking them we again started back, keeping a sharp lookout
to the rear, but we had not gone far when they came upon' us
again. We, of course, turned and engaged them and had no
difficulty in checking them, but the trouble was they would not let
us get away from them, for as soon as we started back they would

The Rear Guard at MeKiiiiiey's Ford. 427

come for us full tilt, and every time they came for us we noticed
they had increased in number.

Meanwhile the Regiment kept on its way toward McKinney's
Ford, where it intended crossing the river ; but the rear guard had
been so much delayed, in turning and standing the enemy off, that
the Regiment was more than a mile ahead of us. I now sent
a man ahead to report to the Lieutenant Colonel and tell him how
hard we were pressed, and asked that he send back a Company to
our relief. But he thought, and subsequent events proved that
he was right, that the best way to relieve us would be for the
Regiment to cross the river as soon as possible, and then form and
drive the enemy back from the bkift", so that the rear guard could
cross ; consequently no relief was sent. We were now moving
parallel with the river, and about a quarter of a mile from it,
where the road ran along at the foot of a very steep bluff on our
right, nearly or quite 100 feet high.

Between us and the river, on our left, was a field of very tall
standing corn. About this time we discovered that some of the
enemy had gone around on the bluff' and were getting ahead of us,
for we could hear them firing at a part of the Regiment which
was now crossing the river at McKinney's Mills. We also thought
that we saw indications that they were getting in the corn field
between us and the river, and were trying to cut us off in that
direction.

I directed Serg. David Reeseman, who was one of the guard, to
take two or three men and go into the corn field and see what was
going on there. He decided to go alone, saying that I had no
men to spare. So Reeseman. who was as brave a man and as
good a soldier as there was in the Regiment, went into the corn
field alone, but had not gone far when he ran into a squad of about
half a dozen rebels. He didn't stand on the "order of his going,
but went at once" across the corn field, between two rows of corn,
and the rebels after him. He soon saw that they would surround
and capture him if he didn't fool them in some way, so he jumped
from his horse while it was under full headway and where the
corn was so tall that the rebels couldn't see him. and cut across
toward the river, and succeeded in hiding in the thick underbrush
on the bank of the stream. Reeseman's front teeth were false, and
when he jumped from his horse they fell out of his mouth, but he

428 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

didn't wait to hunt for tliem, and I presume they are in that corn
field yet.

Meanwhile the rebels were pressing the rear guard so hard that
we had no chance to fall back. They also commenced firing on us
from the blufif, and it began to look as though we would have to
cut our way out or be captured. About this time Maj. Charles
M. Betts, accompanied by his orderly, J. L. B. Sherrick, came back
to see what we were doing and how we were getting along, and
as he was coming the rebels from the bluff fired on him. He saw
that some of them had dismounted and were crawling down the
bluff to get between us and the Regiment, and told us that we
were being surrounded and would have to cut through, but
ordered us to first charge the force that was then forming on our
rear, drive them back and then turn and cut our way out.

Major Betts then started back to the command, and had gone
but a little way when he saw the rebels had worked their way
down the bluff to the road, and that he with the rest of us were cut
off. He returned to us just as we had finished the charge on the
rebels in the rear.

It didn't take us long to decide what to do and put it in execu-
tion. We charged down the road in the direction of the Regiment,
this time, and as we came around a bend we ran upon a rebel Lieu-
tenant and nine men who were between us and the command, and
took them prisoners. We didn't fool with them long, but made
them mount our horses behind us and carried them along. Mean-
time two companies of the Regiment had safely crossed the river,
formed line and drove the enemy back from the bluff, so that they
could not see to fire on us. The ford at McKinney's Mill was so
exposed, however, that the guard could not cross there, but had to
go about a half mile farther down the river and cross, which we
did successfully, carrying our prisoners mounted behind on our
horses, which protected us from the fire of the enemy, as they
could not shoot us without hitting their own men.

After we all got safely over we took up position a little way
back from the river, and engaged the enemy in long-range fire
and kept them from crossing, which, by the way, they did
not show much disposition to do. When we went into camp
that night. Colonel Lamborn complimented the rear guard
on the resistance they had made, and gave me the sword and

The Rear Guard at McKiiiitcy's Ford. 429

revolver of the rebel Lieutenant we had captured. The sword I
have yet, and would not part with it for any money, unless I
should come across the Lieutenant from whom we captured it.
I might give it to him, for he was a brave young officer.

We were all feeling very bad over the loss of Sergeant Reese-
man, as we supposed he had been either killed or captured, for
there was no braver man in the Regiment. But what was our
surprise the next morning, shortly after breaking camp and start-
ing on our way to Bull's Gap, to find the Sergeant sitting quietly
by the roadside awaiting us, while "gumming" one of the hard
biscuits we had baked at Kingsport, and as good as ever with the
exception of the loss of his front teeth and horse. It appeared
that Reeseman hid in the thick undergrowth by the river, where
he lay quietly all day. The rebels frequently came within a few-
steps of him to get water to cook with and to water their horses,
but. fortunately, not seeing him. He heard them talking very
plainly, and from their conversation gathered that the rear guard
had done them considerable damage in its resistance to their ad-
vance. Toward night they all went back to the bluff and into
camp. About night a negro came floating down the river in a
canoe, and when opposite to him, Reeseman hailed him and made
him set him across the river. He went about a mile south, and
stayed all night with a negro family, and next morning joined the
Regiment, much to the satisfaction of all his comrades.

The Regiment went on to Bull's Gap, from there to Knoxville
and on to Chattanooga, and finally to Wauhatchie, where it got
ready to take part in the spring campaign which put a close to
the rebellion.

This article is written entirely from memory, over forty years
after the incidents recorded took place, and I may have made
seme mistakes, but believe it is substantially correct. I take no
credit to mvself for the work of the rear guard, for any officer of
the Regiment, with the same sixteen men I had with me, would
have done equally as well or perhaps better.

A TRIP TO SAND MOUNTAIN, GA.

ENOCH \\'. MARPLE, COMPANY E, WILKES-BARRE, PA.

ON Friday afternoon, November 25, 1864, a detail of twenty
men from the different companies was made and placed
under the command of Lieutenant Beck, of Company D,
and Sergeant McNair, of Company E, with instructions to go to
Sand Mountain, Ga., and pick up any stragglers from the rebel
army we could find, it being understood that some rebel officers
were there on furlough.

We started with two guides early next morning, and went over
a mountain, six miles from camp. We charged up to every house,
but got no one, and camped that night at Maxwell's, on Island
Creek. At daylight next morning (Sunday), a beautiful day, we
left for Carpenter's Ferry. From there we went up on Sand
Mountain, having a fine, uneventful ride until we were upon the
mountain. As we were passing along near the summit, on looking
down into a shallow valley we saw a horse saddled, standing in
front of a house, with the reins thrown over a post. It is unneces-
sary to say we at once "went for him." We had hardly started
when a man in citizen's clothes came out of the house on a run,
grabbed the reins, mounted without throwing them over the head
of the horse, and got a good start right up the mountain through
the woods. I believe we all emptied our revolvers at him, but,
with dodging limbs and jumping over logs, we all missed. Fie
was, however, headed off by a couple of the boys who had started
for the house down through the woods, instead of by the road,
one of whom at once changed horses with him. The prisoner
turned out to be a man about fifty years of age, large and strong
enough to have made a good fight had he but half a chance. He
had raised his fist to strike one of the boys who stopped him, but
thought better of it. Had he known that neither of them had a
single shot, either in carloine or revolver, he would probably have
escaped.

430 . ■

SUMMIT OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN
Lieut. Chas. S Hinchman Capt. Wm. F. Colton M. B. Colton

A Trip to Sand Mountain, Ga. 431

We then went on our way, shortly afterward meeting a citizen,
who said he was going to church, and as he seemed to be an
innocent sort of person, we made the serious mistake of letting
hmi go. This we found out about fifteen minutes afterward, when
the aforesaid innocent citizen brought about sixty of Weather-
spoon's guerrillas on our rear. Our prisoner at once turned and
escaped to the rebels, those having charge of him being
too much interested in the attack in the rear to notice it. We had
quite a little skirmish, but the guerrillas left in a hurry, and the
guides suggesting that we had better make a certain point in the
road, as the enem.y would probably be able to cut off our retreat
if they got there first, we "lit out" lively, and got there about a
minute ahead of them.

We had at this point quite a litde fight, one of our men — West
Schaures, Company L, a recruit — being badly wounded in the leg.
We retreated again, this time right over the top of the mountain,
where there was no sign of any road, to the other side, striking
a road down the mountain. We left our wounded comrade in a
house near the summit, as he could not travel any farther, being
weak from loss of blood. We went down the mountain and
camped about two miles from Trenton, about midnight. The
next morning we returned to Wauhatchie, arriving about i
o'clock, pretty tired.

A force, under Serg. John B. Kreider, was at once sent out to
bring back the wounded man and round up the rebels, but they
returned without seeing any of them. Our wounded comrade
was sent to the hospital on Lookout Mountain.

Everyone in our party had about given up all idea of ever
getting down that mountain, as we certainly were in a bad
fix. While we were in the last fight my carbine barrel was hit by
a bullet while I was resting the stock on my thigh, awaiting a
chance for a shot. Some pieces of the lead were scattered all over
my face and neck, and one of the boys picked them out the next
morning. I have always felt that I had a very close call, as the
bullet might have come my way had the barrel of the carbine
been held a trifle more to one side. This scout was probably
of very little importance, but as we had one man wounded
and were certainlv thoroughlv licked, it mav be interesting.

THE VOTE OF THE REGIMENT IN THE
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

CORP. SMITH D. COZENS, COMPANY L, PHILADELPHIA.

ON November 7, 1864, I was appointed one of three super-
visors to conduct the election in our Regiment on the fol-
lowing day. Abraham Lincoln was the nominee of the
Republican party and Gen. Geo. B. McClellan was on the Demo-
cratic ticket. The chief plank of the Democrats was that "the
war was a failure." The other two supervisors were Lieut.
Chas. H. Kirk and Jos. Bontemps, and we all rode into Chatta-
nooga to get poll books and everything else necessary for the
election. The Commissioner who supplied our needs was our own
townsman, Wm. V. McGrath, who was the representative of the
Democratic party.

I am not quite certain whether either Lieutenant Kirk or I had
any right to accept such a position, as neither of us was twenty-
one years old, but no objections were raised, and we went ahead.
This day we received eighty recruits, and the strong Republicans
in the Regiment said that the majority of the Democratic votes
were cast by them. Our Regiment had been recruited from all
over the State, so that many counties were represented. The
voting took place in the First Sergeant's tent, a certain number of
counties being assigned to each.

The result, by counties, was as follows :

Republican. Democrat.

Adams 2y 1

Allegheny 30 10

Bucks 7 2

Beaver 2

Butler 4

Center 5

Carbon 2

Cumberland i

Chester 3

Armstrong 2

432

The Vote of the Regiment in Presidential Election. 433

Republican. Democrat.

Delaware 10

Dauphin 7 2

Erie i

Fayette 8 i

Franklin 7

Greene 2^ 2

Huntingdon i

Jefferson 2

Luzerne 4

Lycoming 2

Lancaster 4 i

Montgomery 14 5

Philadelphia 89 8

Perry i

Schuylkill 6 3

Somerset i

Venango i

Washington 4

York 2

Westmoreland 33 13

301 53

248 majority for "Old Abe.''

This does not indicate the full strength of the Regiment at this
time, as the seventy-five men whom Colonel Palmer took with
him through Kentucky had not joined us, and Companies H and
K were still doing escort duty at headquarters, and did not join
us till a little later.

28

SOJOURN IN DIXIE.

JOSEPH PONTIUS, COMPANY M, ROXBOROUGH, PHILADELPHIA.

IT was the day before Christmas, in 1863, that our Regiment
joined the commands of Generals Sturgis and ElHott, about
four miles from Dandridge. We were tired and hungry, and
were eating what little we had in our haversacks, when a rebel
scout was brought in. He said there were only 300 rebels on
the road. Our Colonel asked for the privilege of ascertaining the
truth of the scout's statement, and it was granted. Our horses
were in no condition for a running match with the rebels, so about
seventy of as good mounts as could be selected were ordered to
get ready for the fray.

Our Colonel led us through the woods to a worm fence skirting
it. We got through to the middle of the field, and found
the rebels on the road as thick as bees. They were the left flank
of General Martin's Divison.

We marched to the middle of the field, and formed in line of
battle for a charge. Immediately we discovered we had bitten ofif
more than we could masticate. Seeing the Colonel turn and make
a bee line for a hole in the fence spoke louder than words. We
got into considerable of a muddle, all trying to get to the hole at
the same time.

The bullets flew thick and fast and the rebels were very close to
us. There was no other way out of the field but by that par-
ticular hole in the five-rail fence. It was too high for a jump,
and we were too hotly pressed to make another opening.

There were about ten of the seventy captured in the field, and
only one wounded. The latter was exchanged that day. Among
the captured was Capt. W. Airey, who after suffering fourteen
months in Libby Prison, returned home and died from the horrible
diseases contracted in that den.

Before I got to the hole in the fence I was gathered in by a big
rebel Colonel. We were taken to the rear and put in charge of a
434

Sojourn in Dixie. 435

guard, and then we were searched for money. Anything that
took their fancy was taken away from us. I had forty dohars,
but persuaded them to let me keep ten dollars of it, which they
very reluctantly did. Knowing full well that this would not be
the last search, when I got an opportunity I placed that ten-dollar
bill between my skin and shirt, and there it lay until 1 reached
Belle Isle, where I invested it in five pounds of rice and a five-
pound bale of Lynchburg smoking tobacco.

We were soon put in charge of another guard a little farther
on the road ; here we were relieved of our overcoats, and then we
took up our march to a log cabin, where we stopped for the night.

In the morning of Christmas day, 1863, we were marched to
Morristown. There was no good cheer; everything looked, and
was, cold and dreary. I don't think any of us knew it was
Christmas.

We were handed over to the Provost Guard, who kindly ushered
us into our sleeping apartments for the night, in a two-story stor-
age house. In our party was a Tennessee guide who had been cap-
tured while scouting the day of our little charge at Dandridge.
and had just joined us at this place. He had been with Colonel
Palmer all through this campaign up to the 24'th of December,
and was well acquainted with that part of the country, particu-
larly Morristown.

We were no sooner in the building than he was coolly planning
to escape. He had an uncle living within sight of our temporary
prison, wdiose house he pointed out to us. He asked the rebel
Captain if he would allow him to visit his uncle the following
day, and the Captain gave his permission pleasantly and gener-
ously.

At dark we all lay down to rest. We still retained our blankets.
We rested pretty well until about daybreak, when we heard con-
siderable commotion downstairs among the guards. The Cap-
tain came up and ordered us all in line, to be counted. A\'hen he
counted two or three times over he was satisfied that four noble
Yanks were missing. He was very angry, of course, but he could
not get it into his thick head how the Yanks got out of that store-
room, unless the guard had been bribed. By this time the brave
guide and his companions were well on their way to the Union
lines, which I learned, after mv release, thev reached in safety.

436 History of the FiftccntJi Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Their escape bothered the Captain so much that he concluded the
house was not a safe place to keep Yankee prisoners in, so we
were marched to the outskirts of Morristown and driven into a
miserable, low log hut — a "charcoal pen." The hovel was, as near
as I can remember, about twelve by eighteen feet, and so full of
ventilators that we received the full benefit of all the snows and
rains and wind.

We were in this hole from the 26th of December until January
26th, suffering from the cold and lack of food, and being choked
and blackened with the smoke. Fortunately there was no sickness
among us, for we were all young and hearty. We were taken out
one day and started for Bristol. This we reached, fagged out and
hungry, without any accidents and not a great deal of excitement.
There was a train in waiting, with other prisoners. Some time
after our arrival it moved off. The« only provender available in
this remote spot of the United States was the golden grains of
corn, served to us on the cob. It did not worry us much, this
being fed like hogs. We could put up with it a little while longer.
We had our heads swelled with the idea that we were going to be
exchanged. The guards always answered our questions that way.
They kept us together by these false reports.

One cold and dreary night, in the month of February, 1864, we
rolled into the city of Richmond — hungry, cold, dejected — won-
dering what would happen next. We were marched through the
streets of the city and stopped before Scott's tobacco warehouse.
We entered one of the press rooms, and to our disgust found the
walls covered with a thick, filthy substance, the remains of the
tobacco process which had before been carried on there. Some of
my fellow-prisoners eagerly stripped it from the walls and floor
with their penknives, so great was their craving for it. Seeing
the comrades hastening to a place where soup was being dis-
tributed, I fell in line, but on my return I discovered to my great
discomfort that my blanket had been stolen. Often afterward I
felt the need of this friend. Having stayed here long enough to
feel the effects of the damp, cold dungeon, we marched out with
the hope that we were about to be exchanged, but this was only a
hoax on the part of the guards.

Toward evening we arrived at Belle Island. The tempera-
ture was so very low that the rapid James River was frozen

Sojourn ill Dixie. 437

over in one night. Here I first felt the loss of the blanket.
I was poorly clad, no other comrades could share their comforts
with me, and I had to keep moving in order to avoid freezing. I
managed to get a few pieces of green wood, out of which it was
hard to make a fire. After making a blaze I put my cold feet into
it, and did not know they were frozen until I smelt my boots
burning. No care was taken of them during our stay on the
island. Toward the end of the month we were again ordered into
Richmond, with the same idea of exchange. This time we were
quartered in the Pemberton warehouse, but only for a few days.

Our next trip was to an unknown destination, which was later
discovered to be Andersonville, in Georgia. On the 7th of March
we were let into this pen, like a herd of cattle — ragged, half-
starved and our hope of exchange crushed. There was no shelter
of any kind. It was only a vast expanse, with very few pieces of
wood except that which could be had by digging in the ground.
Later a comrade and myself received permission to procure mate-
rial for a covering. This material consisted of pine cones and
saplings, of which we built a rough protection from the rain and
sun. The saplings were planted in the ground, and their branches,
interwoven and covered with cones, formed the roof. There were
not enough cones, so a semicircular "opening was left in the back
of the hut. From this we could watch the proceedings of the
gang of thieves in our rear. Beds were formed of leaves and
cones, and we could not stretch out when we lay thereon, as the
house was not large enough. One of my frozen toes now began
to cause me much anxiety, but as we had no drugs I could do
nothing for it. The toe continued to get worse, and as I had to
perform the duty of going to the brook for water, I stumped and
irritated it several times. It became so troublesome that shortly
afterward I applied for admission to the hospital, but before gain-
ing it was carried to the gates several times and left there, suffer-
ing from terrific pain and the heat of the sun, no one noticing me.

Finally, one day in June, I was admitted, but found that the
only difference between the stockade and hospital was the shelter
and better diet. I made my bed on the ground in a tent until a
vacancy occurred through death, when I was transferred to a tent
with bunks. The doctors and attendants were seldom seen, and if
3'ou were not capable of administering to your own wants you

438 History of the Fiftccntli Pcujisylvania Cavalry.

were in sad straits. There was little medicine, no lint, and I had
great difficulty in keeping gangrene and vermin from my toe.
This member continued to get worse all the time.

The latter part of July a squad of surgeons came marching
along the avenue, intent on butchering some of us poor fellows,
and stopped in front of my tent. Without any previous warning
I was selected as a victim, the block was laid and chloroform was
administered to me. This was forced upon me, and through
my exertions to evade it I became completely exhausted and
w^as seemingly dead for fifteen minutes. When I began to recover
they resumed their work of stitching up my toe. This oper-
ation was felt very keenly, as I was hardly able to bear
it. After I had revived, an attendant came down to the operathig
table with a tag, on which was my name and number. He ex-
claimed : "We thought you were gone, sure. This tag was to be
placed on your body and you were to be laid out, as is usual, on
the sidewalk, for removal to the cemetery."

As time wore on my wound improved. There were various
rumors of exchange. I was creeping about on a cane, and was
eager to get away the first chance that offered. One day an order
came that every man who could stand the trip was to march to
the station. I supposed I could bear it, and fell in line, suffering
every step I took, while the blood oozed from my toe. To my
great disappointment I was not able to climb aboard the car, and
all who could not stand that exertion were sent back to the
hospital. Some time later we received the same orders, but were
again sent back. We heard that on both occasions the prisoners
were shipped to other stockades, and we were glad we had not
been accepted. These walks irritated my wound considerably, and
extra attention had to be paid it.

At last the glorious, joyful day came. We were given the same
orders that had been issued twice before. The doctors walked
through the hospital, and all who were strong enough to stand the
trip were ordered out. I was selected as one to go. I went to the
train as formerly, and after great effort succeeded in getting
on. Still we were doubtful of being exchanged, as we had been
deceived so frecjuently before. However, the train moved slowly
from the station, with nothing much to interest us but the thought
of home, sweet home. At Millen we were ordered off the train

Sojourn in Dixie. 439

into the stockade, and all hope of seeing home was temporarily
blasted. Some were so heartbroken at being cast into this pen
that they died. The next day we were ordered to board the train
for Savannah, the cause of delay being a misunderstanding about
the transports getting up the river.

On the 20th of November we arrived at the river landing, and
there, to our inexpressible joy, we beheld the white harbinger of
our freedom, for before our straining eyes lay a rebel steamer
flying a flag of truce. When all the prisoners had arrived on
board the steamer and signed the record of parole, orders were
given to cast off the lines, and soon we were speeding down the
broad river to meet our own steamer. How many miles we went
I know not, but late in the afternoon we came to a stop, the
steamer's whistle was blown, and in answer to the question of
one of the men, the captain of the steamer replied, "Your steamer
has not yet arrived, but we expect her at any moment." Again
was the whistle blown, but we heard no answer. Was the silence
ominous of coming disappointment ?

By this time all the prisoners had become nervously impatient,
and all those who could stand upon the deck were watching with
straining eyes for the appearance of our steamer. Once more the
whistle sounded, its shrill note echoing far over the waters, and
from the distant and darkening shores came faintly to our ears
the answering signal. "Our boat is coming ! our boat is coming !"
was the glad cry of every prisoner. They clapped their hands
and cried for joy when she steamed alongside and we beheld once
more the old Stars and Stripes. As soon as we had all been re-
moved from the rebel steamer to our own and all papers had been
duly signed and delivered, the lines were cast off and the steamers
parted ; and as we merrily speeded down the river, we for the
first time truly realized the thrice-blessed fact that at length we
were free. No more should we long and crave for food. No more
would false hopes be raised only to be blighted. No more should
we dream that sweet, mocking dream of home, for were we
not even now on our way home ? Ah ! After all our terrible
sufferings we realized this, and our hearts were filled with un-
speakable joy as we bid farewell to rebeldom.

THE LAST BLOW AT HOOD'S ARMY.

LIEUT. CHAS. H. KIRK, COMPANY E, PHILADELPHIA.

WE of the old Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, on looking
back to the time when we wore the blue and were doing
our part to ride down the rebellion and trample it under
foot, find a great deal in our experience to be proud of. During
most of our war life our Regiment was looked upon as a special
organization, and nearly all of its operations were conducted with-
out the aid or support of other troops ; and any glory that would
result from our effort Vv^as our own regimental property — not to
be shared by any brigade or division to which we might have
been attached.

That we were successful and were appreciated was attested by
Gen. Geo. H. Thomas when he indorsed on an application to the
War Department to re-enlist as veterans : "The Fifteenth Penn-
sylvania Cavalry is the best Regiment of cavalry in my command."
And it was a point of pride with us to sustain that high reputation.

There are many exploits over which we veterans of the Fif-
teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry love to dwell, but probably the one
that is most interesting to us was the capture and destruction of
LLood's pontoon boats and wagon train, 250 miles from where
General Thomas first struck him in front of Nashville, it being the
last blow at a beaten and used-up army.

In Gen. Geo. H. Thomas' official report he says : ''To Colonel
Palmer and his command is accorded the credit of giving Hood's
army the last blow of the campaign, at a distance of over 200
miles from where we first struck the enemy, on the 15th of Decem-
ber, near Nashville.

In the very voluminous official report of Lieutenant-General
Grant, in command of all the armies, embracing the years 1864
and 1865 ^^'^ embodying the movements of all the troops in the
field, which at that time comprised over 1.000,000 men, he men-
tions only four regiments : The Fortieth Illinois, for the successful
44(1

The Last Blozv at Hood's Army. ' ~ 44i

defence of Paducah, Ky., against General F"orrest; the Thirty-
fourth New Jersey, for the defence of Cohtmbus, Ky. ; the First
Alabama (colored), in being massacred at Fort Pillow, and
then our Regiment in its successful pursuit of Hood's army. His
report says : "A small force of cavalry, under Col. Wm. J. Pal-
mer, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, continued to follow Hood
for some distance, capturing considerable transportation and the
enemy's pontoon bridge."

While the battle at Nashville was in progress we lay encamped
at Wauhatchie, on the ground where Geary had his brilhant fight
with Longstreet a few months before. Although no miles from
the battle, we distinctly heard the cannonading, while at points
much nearer it was not heard at all. This was due to the mountain
— on the side of which we lay — carrying the sound. Although cut
off from all communication from the North and our main army,
we felt no anxiety about the ultimate result. We had unbounded
faith in old "Pap" Thomas, and everyone felt he would pull us
through. It was fortunate for Sherman that he did, for had Thomas
been defeated, that historic march to the sea wbuld have been
Sherman's folly, and "Marching through Georgia" an unsung
song.

On the 2oth of December, 1864, we broke up our camp and
started off for Bridgeport, Ala., which we reached about nightfall,
and encamped on an island in front of the town. The rain fell
heavily all day, and, in fact, continued for a week, making all the
roads very heavy and causing us many extra miles of travel to
cross the various rivers and streams that abound in that section.
General Steadman met us at Stevenson, just fresh from the
battlefield. Some weeks after we found that we had been under
his command, but few of us knew it, nor did we see him again
until our return from Mississippi.

Passing on through Huntsville, and with difficulty crossing
Paint Rock Creek, we arrived at Decatur on the 28th, where we
were joined by Colonel Prosser, formerly of our own Regifnent,
with detachments of several Tennessee regiments of about 150
men, making our total force 500 men. After dark we moved out
of town and proceeded carefully for several miles, feeling our way,
as a force of rebels, with artillery, was or had been out in our
front.

44- History of the Fifteenth Peiuisylz'ania Cavalry.

The slow progress we made and the bitter cold night air made
it tedious marching, but soon the sharp crack of a rifle came from
a rebel vedette and sent the blood coursing through our veins, and
dispelled the gloom that had been surrounding us. Then came
the cheers from our advance guard ; some more straggling shots,
which at last swelled out to a volley ; and the headlong, pell-mell
charge of the Regiment down the road, brushing their cavalry out
of the way and capturing two cannon with which they had been
amusing themselves all the afternoon. They made one feeble
effort to charge and retake the guns, but soon desisted and left
us masters of the field, and in great humor over our success.

After the confusion attending the engagement had subsided,
and our little camp fires lit up the woods where we had made
our bivouac, it was found that Captain Remont and four of his
men were missing. Diligent search and inquiry failed to elicit
any information concerning them, and we went to sleep full of
the thought that they had been captured; but about 4 o'clock in
the morning Major Betts called to mind that as our Regiment had
made its rush dbwn the road on the rebel camp, Colonel Palmer
had directed him to send a commissioned ofificer and four men
out on a road that came in on our right, and give notice of any
enemy that might attempt to come in on our flank; and on send-
ing an orderly out in that direction Captain Remont and his men
were found behind a stone wall, holding the road "at all hazard."
Notwithstanding Remont got little or no sleep that night, and a
very scanty breakfast, he volunteered to take the captured artil-
lery back to Decatur, and he did it. This act of his deserves
"honorable mention," for it was a hard, thankless job, and he
never received any credit for doing it. There is a certain amount
of glory attending the capture of a gun, but there is no more
honor in seeing it hauled over a rough road to a safe place than
there is in helping a wagon train over a mountain.

I know this, for about three weeks later, at Red Hill, Ala., with
Lieuf. Harry Weand, we had the good luck to surprise and rout
a small rebel regiment of General Lyon's command and capture
their only remaining piece of artillery. When Colonel Palmer
complimented me for it and put it in my charge to take back to
the river, I felt the same thrill that all heroes feel whose actions
are appreciated. But about two hours after, when I was trudging

The Last Blozv at Hood's Army. 443

back with three yoke of played-out oxen hitched to the same
cannon — with the Regiment ah on ahead, and myself and eight
men to whack up the oxen and act as rear guard, with little parties
of rebels nearly all the time in sight and hanging on our flanks—
the "thrill" had all gone, and I would have traded the compli-
mentary remarks for my usual place in the column.

The next day Company D, under Lieutenant Blight, had the
advance. While a little group of officers were talking together
that morning, someone remarked to Blight that there was one
man in his company who wouldn't get shot that day, and that
was , who was notorious for getting out of every en-
gagement which he might have been in. Blight replied: "If I
don't get him under fire to-day, and keep him there, I'll eat my
shirt!" But when they did strike the rebels, and found it was
necessary to dismount and fight on foot, -the first man we met

coming back with the led horses was , and so far as I

ever heard Blight never made any change from his usual diet.

Company D not being able to get over a creek, as the rebel
fire was concentrated on the only bridge that afforded a passage.
Major Wagner with his battalion was sent forward, and' soon
found a ford, over which we crossed. It was not long before we
got the rebels started, and pushed them for two miles, with our
horses on a dead run and going as fast as the sticky mud would
let us go. We captured only six or eight of them, but Prosser
with his Tennesseeans ran across them later in the day, and get-
ting to a good position where they could not run, he charged with
the saber and got about fifty.

This was the Twelfth Alabama Cavalry, and the officer in com-
m.and of it was Lieut. -Col. J. L. M. Curry, a gentleman who,
when in our National House of Representatives, John Hickman,
of Pennsylvania, had pronounced the ablest man in that As-
sembly. Colonel Curry has held many responsible positions since
then, and has been the American Minister at Vienna.

One of the tricks of a real bang-up cavalryman was to be on
such friendly terms with his horse that the animal would follow
him like a dog, and to have him so well drilled that he could
dismount and the horse would stand without being hitched, and
make no attempt to run when the time came to mount again. They
did not all succeed in this. Major Wagner's gray would stand all

444

History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

right sometimes, but the majority of the times he wouldn't. It
used to be a famihar sight to see the Major trying to coax the
old fellow to stop so that he could catch him, and using plain,
soothing horse language, but not nearly so vigorous as that which
our boys usually spoke on such occasions, and all the time the
column would be mounted and ready for the march.

The day we struck the Twelfth Alabama, Wagner and his gray
had their circus again. We had halted on the brow of a little
hill, while the rebels came to a stop on an elevation, about
three-quarters of a mile away, and although there was some firing
between us, it was at such long range as not to be dangerous.
The ride had been a hard one, and we had nearly all dismounted
to give our horses a rest. But when the time came to mount
again, and everyone else was ready to move off, Wagner and his
horse were walking around that field about ten feet apart, and
the horse seemed to evince a decided disposition to desert and go
over to the enemy. If that had been my horse, I don't think
any language — not even that of an old army mule driver — could
have been strong enough to have done full justice to that occasion ;
but Wagner never seemed to mind it. He never lost his temper,
and when his horse was caught, as eventually he was, by the
assistance of half a dozen others, he never even jerked his head
almost off, as many would have done, nor did he plunge in his
spurs until he brought the blood.

We encamped that night about two miles from Courtland, with
the rebels close in front, and showing some disposition to make
a stand. As my company (E) was going out on picket duty
toward dusk, Prosser's vedettes to the left of us were driven in,
and our company moved over toward them for support, but the
lines were straightened without our assistance, and we then went
on to our own post. Again at lo p.m. another attack was made,
and Colonel Palmer sent me word to take the picket reserve and
help drive the rebels off, but on the way we met Captain Mc-
Allister, who sent us back, as the enemy had been repulsed.

That night Company E had a scare. We were somewhat ner-
vous over the general situation, and everyone expected the
"Johnnies" to stir us up before morning, but we were going to
give a good account of ourselves. About 2 o'clock in the morn-
ing, when everyone was dozing away in that expectant mood

The Last Bloiv at Hood's Army. 445

that picket reserves have, with our carbines in hand and saber
belts hanging loose around us, Orderly Sergeant John Burton,
just opening his eyes from a short nap, sav^ one of our horses
stepping back the length of his halter strap and putting his hind
foot down within a few inches of the hand of one of our sleepers.
While not yet fully awake, he called out: "Look out! look out!
The horse \" And in an instant every man was up. That por-
tion of the post which had been resting around the other two fires
rushed to the one where Burton's party were. In the bewilder-
ment of the moment, men rushed backward and forward without
apparent motive. They jostled each other and were thrown down,
but in an instant were up again and on the move. As our senses
came back to us it was a beautiful sight to see those boys run to
the fence and take position to repel an expected charge, and even
then found time to laugh heartily at the oddity of the thing. The
disorder did not last over a minute, but it was the most rapid
exercise that most of us ever took, on such short notice.

The next morning the Regiment took up its march, and passed
through Courtland, crossing a stream just beyond, over a railroad
bridge that had been planked for the use of the people here-
abouts. On reaching Town Creek, the rebels made a stand, and
some little firing took place before they were driven off and we
were enabled to cross. Nothing of particular note took place
that day. A few prisoners were captured by our advance guard,
and after we went into camp, which was early in the afternoon,
the "Johnnies" seemed to increase in numbers in our front. The
foraging parties that were sent out after forage for our horses
were fired at continually, but by this time the novelty of being shot
at had worn off, and we trudged along, carrying to our camp
heavy loads of corn blades, and the hum ! whiz ! and ping ! of
the rebel bullets were hardly noticed.

It was sometime during the day that Colonel Palmer obtained
information that the rebel pontoon train was half a day's march in
front, and got the idea in his head that he could capture it. General
Steadman, who was many miles in the rear, to whom Colonel
Palmer applied for permission, declined to authorize the adven-
ture as being too risky for such a small force, but added that
if Colonel Palmer wished to undertake it on his own responsibility
he could do so. During the balance of the afternoon preparations

446 History of flic Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

were made for a hard march. We disencumbered ourselves
of the prisoners and sent them oft to the rear. Each man carried
one extra set of horseshoes in his saddlebags, and where it was
necessary they were put on. The loose shoes were tightened, and
our blacksmiths put in one good day's work at least. I don't re-
member that any rations were issued, for I have a painful recollec-
tion of being very hungry during all of that campaign. The ele-
ments, as if anxious to take a hand and help along the bustle and
dreariness of the occasion, got up a storm in which snow and rain
were about equally divided. We slept through it with that sound
sleep which was always our lot in those days.

Early the next morning, while the stars were yet shining, we
were called up to saddle our horses, and to do it quietly, without
anv unnecessary noise. We mounted and rode off to the left,
flanking the force in our front, holding our saber scabbards, and
chilled through by the cold, wintry air. After going about two
miles across the country, we came to a road that led up a moun-
tain, and reached the top just at daybreak. Here our advance
guard quickly surrounded a house and captured Colonel Warren,
of the Tenth Alabama Cavalry, and one man. Then, moving
south on a good mountain road, we continued our march, and as
we were not expected or looked for in that vicinity, did a capital
business in picking up prisoners. Nearly every house contained
two or three "graybacks," most of them being off on a "French,"
and our advance guard had rare sport chasing down the nrimer-
ous little parties they met on the road.

About lo o'clock, when within two miles of Russellville. we
halted at a farmhouse and fed our horses. We got two prisoners
here, one of them the son of the woman who lived there, and who
had just got home the night before. What a howl that woman
set up as we went off with her boy ! Hers was not the sobbing cry
of a heart crushed by affliction. • No ! it was a forty-horse-power
howl. When we were a mile away its discordant tones were
wafted to us on the gentle breezes. One of our prisoners told
me at this time that the former Secretary of War to the Confed-
erate Government, General Walker, was only a short distance in
front of us, riding in an old buggy, and but for our halt would
have been our prisoner.

At Russellville we made a short halt — long enough to allow

The Last Blozv at Hood's Army. 447

some of the men to go to the post office and get any letters there
might be for us, or anyone else.

Seven miles further on, and our advance struck the first of
the pontoon boats. It was just beyond a little stream which was
crossed by a bridge, a few planks of which had been torn up
to delay our progress. That did not stop us as long as did one
of our Captains, who believed in the policy of riding the poorest
horse on the march and saving the best for the real work, and
who was now taking up most of the available space in the narrow
road to change saddles from the one horse that was stuck in the
mud to his fiery steed, which in his efiforts to go ahead was
creating more confusion.

From over the stream, the rebel train guards made an eft'ort
to keep us off, but we had come too far to be so easily stopped,
and the advance, under "Pat" Lyon, swept them ofi^ the field, and
we met with no further resistance. All the teamsters and train
hands became panic-stricken as soon as they found their guard
could not protect them, and each one taking his best mule out
of their teams, struck out for safety, and possibly their homes.

The Regiment went into camp at a place where three houses
were in sight of each other, thus making it a town, which they
called Nauvoo, and after feeding our horses we were sent out to
destroy the wagons. Had the rebels been a little more careful
in carrying out standing orders and kept their train well closed
up, our work would not have been so hard. There were only
seventy-eight pontoon boats and about two hundred wagons in
their train, but these were stretched over three miles of road, and
details of men had to be sent over the whole distance, and were
kept busy all that night.

To those who have not been in that business, I tell you it is
not such an easy matter to destroy 200 wagons as one would
suppose. If they had been parked, all that we need have done
would have been to throw them together and then let one big
fire burn the whole thing up, but these were standing all by
themselves, and necessitated making 200 fires and feeding them
with dry wood until they had sufficient power to destroy. Then,
too, those pontoon boats were long, trough-like things that were
hard to make "catch fire," and it needed constant attention to keep
them burning. We made no attempt to burn them all up, but

448 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

contented ourselves by making our fire under the fifth wheel and
burning out the front of the boats. Another method of destruc-
tion was to use the axes, with which the train was well supplied,
and break up the wheels of the wagons. If you give an axe the
right swing and the proper twist, it can be sent through a spoke at
a single blow, but there are not many who can do that. Toward
morning, when the men got very tired and wanted to rest, they
were urged on by the idea that they were playing a game in which
he won who could with one swing of an axe send it clean through
a spoke, and in this way we passed the night.

Most of the wagons were empty, or contained only the camp
and garrison equipage of the rebel engineer corps, but on one
wagon that I was near while it was burning, there was an explo-
sion. It was not a very heavy one, for it only blew the top off with
a big puff, but after that we examined them before they were set
on fire. While doing this I picked up a lot of papers, wrapped
in an old Confederate muster roll, and carried them off for a
later examination. In a few moments a darkey came up to me
and said : "Cap'n Gloster says he would like to have his papers."'
"Who's Cap'n Gloster?" said I. "He's the Cap'n who had dis
train, and de papers you tuk out dat wagon is de Cap'n's," said the
darkey. "Where is the Captain?" I asked him. "Oh, he's jus' out
dar in the bushes. He seen you take 'em, and told me to come
and ask you for 'em," replied the darkey. "You go back and tell
the Captain that if he wants the papers, to come and get them
himself." And then he left me and went off to a clump of bushes,
not fifty yards off, but the Captain never came, and Post 2, of
Pennsylvania, has those papers in safe-keeping. I did not care
about his coming, either, and I wanted less to go out to him. I
had no arms with me, and, in fact, none of us had, for when we
were ordered out to destroy the train we were told to leave all
our arms in camp, and did so.

Just as day was breaking on January i, 1865, we got back to
camp, and while partaking of a scanty breakfast the "boots and
saddles" sounded to call us to our next day's work. We marched
steadily all day, and as it was at a trot most of the time, we got
over a good deal of ground. The general direction of our march
v.'as southwest, and throughout the column there was much won-
dering as to where it would bring us. We knew that Hood's army

The Last Blozv at Hood's Army. 449

was in our front and that it had crossed the Tennessee River by
the pontoons we had just destroyed, and from the distance we had
marched since leaving Decatur, and the direction we were taking,
it was thought by most of us that we were now in the rear of the
rebel army. About 4 p.m. we halted at a plantation and gave our
horses a good feed. For ourselves, we had most excellent hams,
and nothing else, and for several days after this hams were our
only article of diet. I speak from experience when I say that
to properly appreciate ham you need something else to go with it.

About sundown the column started again, still going southwest.
Soon we left the road and marched by file across a rough country,
up hills, through valleys and swampy lands, mostly through
gloomy woods, but at times we would come out into little clear-
ings, where, in the dusk of night, a log house could be seen. At
intervals short halts were made, as if to find the path, and then
we went on again. Quietly we marched, and no sound came from
us except the tramp of our horses' feet as they picked their way
along, and the suppressed tone of command to "close up."

About midnight we came out on a good, broad road running-
north and south, and we took the latter direction. The change
from the deep gloom of the woods we had left to the broad high-
way had an inspiring effect on the men, and -soon after, when a
few shots were fired at our advance, the command to gallop found
every man not only ready, but anxious for the engagement we
expected would follow. Almost spontaneously the column took
up the cheers that accompany the order to charge, and their effect
was so contagious that our prisoners, who were marching in
front of my company, joined in and mingled their yells with ours.

All the armed rebels in front of us who had not run were soon
captured, and there, before us, beautifully parked, was a train of
eighty-five wagons. It did not take long to destroy these. Run-
ning a dozen of them together and throwing the empty ones on
top, a pile was made, which when set on fire would burn and
consume everything. It was done so easily that in half an hour
they were all destroyed. It was a weird sight to see the wild
destruction going on, with our boys running to and fro among
the blazing wagons, looking more like fiends than men, while the
prisoners were kept in line, and were the only ones who were not
actively employed.

29

450 History of the Fifteenth Peniisyhania Cavalry.

Colonel Palmer with his staff and orderlies went on about
a mile farther, and captured a small train of wagons, which they
burned.

Having captured and destroyed the wagons, it was now a
question of what to do with the mules. We already had as many
as we needed, and to turn them loose would only be givmg the
Southern Confederacy a little trouble in picking up their property,
and therefore, out of sheer military necessity, we were forced to
kill all surplus stock. The most serviceable were first taken and
distributed among the companies, and then the men were directed
to kill the balance, but "not waste their ammunition." We tried
to kill by hitting them in the forehead with an axe, the same as
butchers do in killing cattle. But that plan did not work, as no
mule is fool enough to hold still and be killed, and we had to resort
to our carbines, which accomplished the purpose better, and in a
more expeditious manner.

As soon as our work was done, we mounted and rode off. I
remember hearing someone say that we were in Itawamba County,
Miss., and that our march was now in an easterly direction, and
then I went to sleep. Not only myself, but at least half the column
enjoyed the same discomfort. To sleep peacefully and ride a horse
at the same time, and keep your place in column, is harder work
than curling up in front of a good-sized backlog, with a bright
fire at your feet.

How very painful it was to keep awake on these night marches !
A paroxysm of sleepiness would come over you, and, try as hard
as one could, it was impossible to keep awake, and in an instant
almost you would be in the deepest sleep and dream of getting into
a good, easy bed, or of sitting down to a table on which were all
kinds of substantial eatables. Then came the rude awakening
and the startled look of anxiety to know where you were, for in
the meantime your horse had either left the column, or with more
rapid strides was nearing the advance guard. On all these
marches it was the duty of someone in the Colonel's party, who
always rode at the head of the column, to halt and waken these
sleepers and send them back to their companies. It frequently
happened that the Colonel's party were all asleep, too, and the
rider, with his fast-walking horse, was never stopped until he
reached the advance guard.

The Last Bloiv at Hood's Army. 451

About 4 o'clock in the morning the head of column filed off
the road into a field to the left, but we did not know whether that
meant another march across the country, or that we were going
into camp, until we heard Serg.-Maj. Samuel Phillips' voice
from out the darkness ask: "Is that Company E?" "Yes."
"Lieutenant Kirk, detail one man for camp guard and three for
picket." And w^e knew that that meant sleep for the rest of us.

Turning to Orderly Sergeant Burton, I told him to make the
detail, and then went on to put the company into camp. Wlien
the command, "Right front into line — march !" had been carried
out, I had a misty idea that it was a rather slim line, and just then
Burton reported that he could not find more than half the com-
pany. Here was a pretty mess ! In addition to being as near
played out as a man could well be, came this bother of hunting
up the lost part of my command, and the fear, too, that when
the Colonel heard of it I would be sent to find them. But I
want to record right here my gratitude to Colonel Palmer, for
when I reported to him, as I did at once, he only said, "They'll
be coming along soon." And then I hurried off and curled up
under the bushes, and before the words could be written I was
sound asleep.

They did come along just at daybreak the next morning, and
while we were getting ready to move again. It seems that a wild
Irishman in m}- company, named John Mahoney, was in charge
of a led mule which some time during the night got loose.
Mahoney did not want to lose the mule and went after it, and the
way was too rough to trot up and catch it, and the others were too
sleepy to see what the Irishman was doing. The mule walked oft"
through the woods ; Mahoney followed the mule, and the rest of the
column followed Mahoney. They went a good long way, right
through the woods, over ground that was possibly a little rougher
than it had been, and then the column stopped and most of the
men slept on. Major Betts was along with his battalion, and
not understanding why they should halt so long, rode up to the
front and there found Mahoney and his mule, with several fallen
trees in front that stopped further progress. "What are you
doing here, and where has the column gone?" demanded the
Major. "I don't know, sir." said Mahoney. "I have not seen
them for two hours, sir. I've been catching me mule."

452 History of the Fifteenth Peiuisyl-zania Caz'alry.

Fortunately, the Major had heard Colonel Palmer tell Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Lamborn, while we were burning the wagons,
where he intended making camp, and by sending men out in all
directions they at last found an inhabited house, and from infor-
mation attained, arrived at the camp, reaching there in time to see
us pulling out for another day's hard ride.

Our march to-day led us up the Warrior Mountains, which
are said to be the highest in Alabama. It was rather an unevent-
ful day, aside from the feeling that we might have a big fight
on our hands at any moment. The advance guard captured
some prisoners, but this was no novelty now, and the more pris-
oners we took the more guard duty it entailed on the men.

To vary the monotony, one of our own men was captured
to-day, and stayed captured a few minutes. It was after we had
watered our horses at a little stream, and, as was the usual custom,
the advance had moved on for a half mile and then halted for the
companies to finish watering, and to close up the column. A
man from one of the companies, whose horse was not ready to
move with the rest, followed leisurely on. At a turn in the road
two rebels jumped from the bushes, and with leveled muskets
compelled his surrender, but the following company came sud-
denly on them and retook our man. "The Johnnies" jumped into
the bushes and ran, but they took with them a carbine, a "Colt's
navy" and all the light personal property they could pick up in
that short time.

We also captured to-day an ambulance filled with wounded
rebels. This was of no account ; sound and healthy prisoners were
barely in demand, and at this time the market was overstocked
with wounded ones, so we "swore them" and let them go. We
made camp early to-day — ^that is, about ii o'clock at night — and
the rain poured down on us until morning, but a little thing like
that in no way interfered with sleep.

January 3d. — My company had charge of the prisoners on the
m.arch to-day, and Colonel Warren and myself rode together. He
did not feel in the best of spirits over his capture, and told me
that he would have rather lost an arm than have had it occur.
He was a very pleasant, companionable man to be with, but I
know that I enjoyed the situation and his company more than he
did the same situation and my company. He had finished his

TJic Last Blozi' at Hood's Army. 453

education at Princeton, N. J., and was well acquainted with Phila-
delphia, having had, as he told me, "many a good time in it."

In speaking of our Regiment, he said they were the finest
body of men he had ever met, and after remarking their
gentlemanly behavior, he said : "They would be dangerous men
to meet in a fight. There is one thing about them that I've no-
ticed; they don't waste their ammunition. They have their guns
all ready to shoot, but they don't fire without good reason. Now,
my regiment has always been the other way, and on the least
provocation would bang ofif their guns and make any quantity of
noise. I've lost several men through their carelessness."

Our march to-day led us over a part of what was known as
the "Wire Road." Colonel Warren told me that it took its name
from having been the first road in that part of the country over
which a telegraph wire had been stretched. Before the line had
been put up there was a good deal of opposition from people
whose farms lay near it, as they feared that in some way it might
bring evil to them and after the following harvest season
they were sure of it, for the crops were a failure. Then the people
arose in their might, and pulled down the wire and chopped up
the poles. They were not going to stand any such new-fangled
notions down that way.

Colonel Warren expected to be recaptured. He assured me
that we were in such a position that it was impossible for us to
get out. The cavalry forces of Chalmers, Roddy and Forrest were
all around us, and it was only a question of time as to when wc
v.-ould be gathered in. He told me he would see that we were
well treated and that we should have as considerate captors as we
had proved ourselves to be. Some time in the afternoon it looked
a little to me as if the Colonel was nearly right, for brisk firing
began in the rear, followed by yells from a multitude of throats,
and Warren said, "I told you so." But word soon came that
the disturbance was caused by the Tennesseeans starting up a
couple of deer, and they were only having their fun.

Although disappointed, Warren still felt sanguine. He saw
that instead of our march being straight ahead, it was of that
confusing character that was a sample of so many that we took,
and to a stranger it gave the idea that our leader was bewildered
and had lost his grip, for it had doubled on itself, so that at sun-

454 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

down we were only four miles from where we started at 7 in the
morning. We were now only three-quarters of a mile from Town
Creek, and the rebels were in strong force just on the other side of
it. They were at all the fords that crossed that stream, as our
advance had found out during the day, and were now finding out
by the rebel bullets that came from that side.

We were now only a few miles from Warren's home, and he
asked permission to write to his wife, which request was granted,
conditioned on his giving no information that would be to our
injury. He gave me the letter to read, which I did. The most
peculiar thing in it was the direction to his wife to sell a barrel
of brandy he had at home, and told her "she could get $4000 for
it." This part struck me as so unreasonable that I thought I saw
in it some hidden meaning, and on my asking for more informa-
tion he assured me that such was the case; that the barrel only
contained twenty-five gallons, and that he had been offered $5000,
but he mentioned $4000 to his wife, as he knew several of his
neighbors who would give that.

Before we continued our march Colonel Palmer sent for me,
and said that we were going to make a very particular move that
night, which might be defeated if any of our prisoners escaped,
and urged me to be extra particular in guarding them. This I
impressed on my men, and they were well looked after. Contrary
to our usual custom, my company marched that night with
revolvers in -hand, ready for instant use, and although we had
about three prisoners for each man, and our way led mostly
through thick woods, not a man escaped or even tried it. After
midnight we came out of the woods onto a good, broad road,
and one of the few signboards that we saw in the South marked
it as the Tuscaloosa and Moulton road.

We now took a northerly course, and within an hour came
to Town Creek, and after much difficulty crossed it. Its banks
were high and steep, and the ford itself was one of those indefinite
things that might land you all right on the other side, or it might
give you a cold bath for remembrance sake. The rebels did not
expect us to cross here. They had had a strong guard here all
through the day, but when we demonstrated on the other ford at
sundown they expected we would try to force it during the night,
and had called off the guards to reinforce that position, and so

The Last Bloiv at Hood's Army. 455

left us free to cross without opposition. It was 4 o'clock in the
morning when we made our camp, and in the confusion attending
it Warren made an attempt to escape. He was partly over the
fence when he ran across Dan Scull on guard, and Dan being
•the wrong kind of a man to monkey with on an occasion of that
kind, sent him back again, in that choice, vigorous Anglo-Saxon
dialect in which he was such an adept.

I lost a prisoner, though, early the next morning. One of
them, a tall, lean, lanky man, asked if he could go to the rear,
and I let him go, sending a guard with him. About 100 yards
from camp they both stopped, the guard halted about ten feet
from the prisoner, let the butt end of his carbine rest on the
ground, and, sticking both hands in his pockets, assumed that
well-known position of a dismounted cavalryman on a cold, frosty
morning. With a yell and a bound the rebel was off, running
straight ahead for forty yards and then jumping quickly to either
right or left, keeping the bushes between himself and the guard,
but all the time getting farther off. The rebel so confused the
guard that when he fired he missed him, and then the rascal ran
out of sight, encouraged not only by the yells of his comrades, but
also of those of his late captors who saw his gallant escape.

The next day's march brought with it my turn as officer of the
day, which necessitated marching with the camp guard in the
rear. About 10 o'clock in the morning came quick, vindictive
shots from the advance, then the yell, and at once the whole
column took up the gallop. Soon an orderly came, who reported
that Prosser's Tennesseeans had struck a rebel regiment endways,
knocked it into smithereens at the first dash, and captured the
five wagons thev were bringing with them.

I was directed to halt where I was and keep a good lookout to
the rear, and to be sure not to fire on anything coming that way,
as the Tennesseeans were making a detour and would join us from
that direction. I obeyed, and inside of ten minutes was being
peppered by a lot of men whom we could not see for the dense
scrub oak, and to our calls of "Who are you ?" only got for answer
a kind of shriek that implied nothing. I thought they were
Prosser's men, and kept my men from returning the fire for some
time, but at last, finding they were unmistakable enemies, we an-
swered back shot for shot, until an order came for us to follow on.

456 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

As we passed by a house on the right, a woman came out and
called to us: ''Say, come and take this yer man of you'ns away.
He's just died. I don't want him here!" But we did not want
him either, and as his body was in a better place than the two dead
rebels we passed in the road, we left him to the care of the woman.

This rebel regiment was commanded by Colonel Russell, of
General Wheeler's command, and it was the same force that cap-
tured Capt. Wash Airey and so many of our boys when we
made that mistake at Dandridge, about a year before, and charged
a rebel brigade.

We took things easy after this, as the bulk of their cavalry
was now to the south of us, and only small parties hovered
around us, and never tried to do more than fire at our pickets
and then run as soon as the reserves put in an appearance. Thus,
going along easy for a day or two, giving our horses three good,
square meals a day, we arrived at Decatur on the evening of
January 6, 1865.

Our captures since leaving there on December 28th amounted
to 2 Colonels, 3 Captains, 8 Lieutenants, 187 enlisted men, 78
pontoon boats, 310 wagons and i ambulance; also 2 six-pounders,
over 800 mules and 25 yoke of oxen, besides a large number of
muskets, which were destroyed at once, and many revolvers that
were kept by the men.

A singular circumstance took place the day after our arrival
at Decatur. Hilty, one of our teamsters, had a mule issued to
him at Murfreesboro in March, 1863, to which he took a liking.
Hilty taught him to rear up on his hind legs when he took hold of
the fetlock on his front leg and said, "Up, Jack!" When our
wagons were captured in Sequatchie Valley, in October, 1863,
Hilty's team was gobbled with the rest, Jack and all. While the
captured stock was tied up to the fence at our camp at Decatur,
among those who went to look them over was Hilty, and he was
attracted to a woe-begone little mule, and remarked to one of
his friends : "Don't that look like little Jack ? It can't be, though."
Here he began to pet him, and was telling his friend of his trick
of raising up when he took hold of his front leg — all the time
suiting his actions to the words — and when he said, "Up, Jack !"
the mule reared up as he had been taught, and Hilty then knew
that he had found his mule.

CAPTURE OF COLONEL WARREX AND IXCIDEXTS
OF THE POXTOOX RAID.

CORP. JAMES \V. 0\ER, COMPANY G, PITTSBURG, PA.

AFTER Hood's defeat at Nashville in December, 1864.
Colonel Palmer with our Regiment and some detachments
of Tennessee regiments crossed the Tennessee River at
Decatur, in pursuit of his pontoon and other trains. On the
night of December 31st we lay shivering at Leighton crossroads,
with sleet and a cold rain soaking us through, and without fires,
as Hood's pontoon train was supposed to be camped at Lagrange.
a town in sight of us on a high ridge.

The next morning early Colonel Palmer placed himself at the
head of the advance guard, and led us rapidly and quietly through
fields and by a path up the ridge to the right of the town. Here
he sent a squad, under Sergeant Sowersby, to observe the main
road and cut off the enemy's pickets.

While riding toward the road we saw a rebel cavalryman in
the yard of a house some distance away, with a comforter tied
around his ears and gun slung over his back, preparing to
mount his horse. I was ordered to capture him, and cocking
my carbine, jumped my horse over a fence and started for the
Johnnie. The cap of my carbine fell off as the jump was made,
but I kept on, and was alongside the Johnny, without being seen
or heard, as he was adjusting his feet in the stirrups. The look
of astonishment on his face when he heard the command to sur-
render, and looked around into the muzzle of a carbine close to
his face, was very ludicrous. He surrendered, and very consider-
ately, at my suggestion, pitched his gun over a high fence. Just
then there was great confusion and noise in the house, as if it were
filled with the enemy. On looking around I discovered that I
was in a squad by himself, that my comrades were out of sight,
and thinking that blufif was a very good game to play, yelled
vociferously, and apparently very courageously, that they were

457

458 History of the Fifteenth Peiinsylz'aiiia Cavalry.

surrounded, and demanded the surrender of every person in the
house, under penaky of instant death.

Hearing rapid footsteps toward the kitchen door, I wheeled my
horse around and leveled my carbine as the door was thrown open,
showing the Confederate Colonel Warren in the act of drawing a
revolver from his side pocket. If ever a fellow put in a yell I did
M^hen I thrust the muzzle of my uncapped carbine into the Colo-
nel's face and demanded his surrender. He surrendered and
dropped his hands instantly. I had, alone, under rather embar-
rassing circumstances, two prisoners on my hands, and felt very
much relieved when after a few minutes Lieutenant Hinchman
joined me. While I would have been much easier in my mind
if my carbine had been capped, it would not have benefited me,
as the cartridge was so water-soaked that it would not explode.
Later in the day I exchanged the carbine for a captured one.

Not finding the pontoon train at Lagrange, Colonel Palmer
pushed on after it. Our presence was a complete surprise to the
enemy, and we picked up rebel soldiers at every house, who were
spending the holidays with their friends. The advance struck one
house early in the morning, where a party of four or five of them
were just sitting down to a very tempting breakfast. They heard
us coming, and took to the woods. We soon captured them, and,
as we had not had any breakfast, entered the house and emptied
the contents of the table — fried chicken, honey, warm cakes, etc. —
indiscriminately into our haversacks, much to the disgust of sev-
eral good-looking young ladies. We thus had a very satisfactory
meal as we rode along.

We stopped to feed at noon, and the advance was stationed at
a crossroads, where a rebel cavalry regiment had been ordered to
rendezvous. A party of them joined some of us as we were
getting forage at a farmhouse, and only discovered we were Yanks
when we presented our revolvers and demanded their surrender.
While feeding, our vedette reported a large party approaching,
which reached us just as we mounted. We instantly charged,
capturing most of them and killing one. We then pushed on
rapidly and captured the pontoon train at dusk. It was strung
along the road for five or six miles, and details were busy all night
destroying the w^agons and burning the pontoons. They were new
and the finest I had ever seen, and most of them had the names of

Capture of Colonel JVarreii. 459

prominent Southern ladies painted upon them, such as Lady Davis,
Lady Bragg, etc.

The next night we crossed into Mississippi, marching in sight
cf a rebel cavalry force, and burnt a supply train bringing up the
rear of Hood's army. Our raid thus far had been highly successful,
but we were far within the enemy's lines. They had posted troops
on the roads leading north to capture us, and it was a very serious
question whether we could avoid them or cut our way through.

On the second day's return march we found the enemy posted
in some force on the road in our front. Colonel Palmer disposed
his troops as if he intended to attack, and at dusk withdrew and
traveled rapidly south for some distance, and then taking a trail
through the woods marched all night, and early in the morning
reached the main road, about ten miles north of the rebel force.

After resting a few hours we were again moving, and the ad-
vance soon struck a regiment marching to join the rebel force now
in our rear. We charged at once, capturing a number and killing
some. On this day's march the enemy followed us, but whenever
the rear guard, under the command of Lieutenant Kirk, formed to
charge them, they retired. W'e went into camp about 10 o'clock
at night, and soon had our horses and selves fed and blankets
spread out, and were congratulating ourselves that we would have
a good night's rest, when orders were given to saddle instantly, as
a large force of the enemy were preparing to make a night attack
on our camp. We left very quietly, leaving our fires burning, and
it was reported during the night they surrounded the abandoned
camp and charged into it. We continued our march all that
night and the next day, when we safely arrived inside our lines.

In this raid we were on the march almost continually for six
or seven days and nights, and did most of our sleeping in the
saddle, and as the nights were very cold, suffered considerably.

Colonel Palmer showed, by his admirable management of this
and other raids, that he was a born cavalry leader. He had a
remarkable talent for acquiring information about the roads and
bypaths of the country. He usually had a half dozen citizens
marching with him, under guard, from whom he obtained informa-
tion. As they were never released until it was verified by actual
observation, and knew the consequences to themselves if it was not
accurate, he was never deceived.

AN INCIDENT OF THE RAID.

EDMUND B. JONES, COMPANY C, PITTSBURG, PA., DECEASED.

ON the night of our starting from Decatur I was detailed for
advance guard, Sergeant Lyon commanding, and after
moving out and passing the picket post of General Stead-
man's command, a camp fire of the rebels was seen about a mile
ahead of us, and orders were given Sergeant Lyon to charge the
enemy just as soon as the vedette was struck.

It was but a few moments afterward when the rebel picket and
reserve post were driven back. In a short time we were again
ordered to push forward and drive the enemy. How well I re-
member, after riding at breakneck speed in the dark for a short
distance, coming upon a camp of the rebels, in, which were two
pieces of artillery, and which the rebels were endeavoring to hitch
up and get away ! I believe there were only ten of the advance
guard who were really present at the time. Instead of the com-
mand returning to the camp of our main army or going into
camp at the point where we first encountered the rebels,
Colonel Palmer decided to bring the Regiment up and xamp
on the ground where the artillery was captured. The next
m.orning the command moved out, and struck the rebels in small
squads all day, and kept them moving quite lively. At night we
went into camp at Leighton crossroads. I remember very dis-
tinctly that it snowed during the night. We were awakened very
early the next morning with orders to move about quietly, the
rebels being immediately in our front, so that caution had to be
used.

I saddled my horse, and tied him to a stake which I had used to
secure one corner of the shelter tent under which my messmate
and self had slept during the night. I then started to make coffee.
While drinking it my horse pulled up the stake and walked away
without my observing him. I only knew of his departure by com-
rade Geo. C. Laws yelling to me, "E. B., there goes your horse!"
I jumped to my feet quickly and said, "Where — where is he?"
460

An Incident of the Raid. 461'

Not being able to see him on account of the camp fires partly
blinding me, I started immediately in the direction which I was
told he had taken, making every effort to find him, but was unsuc-
cessful. In the meantime the command was cjuietly falling into
line and moving out of camp, taking the road back to Leighton
crossroads.

All had gone but myself, and I assure you the position I found
myself in just then was not one of the most pleasant or assuring.

I walked to the main road, and looking in the opposite direction
from that which the Regiment had taken, I saw coming toward
me a horse without a rider, and when he was within a few yards of
me I threw up my hands, and the animal stopped. I caught him
and made all haste to mount, discovering however, that it was not
my horse, as the only equipment which he possessed was a halter
and strap. Slipping the strap through his mouth to serve as tem-
porary bit, I hastened to the crossroads to catch up, if possible,
with the Regiment. Daylight not having made its appearance, and
not being able to discover which road the Regiment had taken, I
paused to listen a moment, and hearing some voices coming from
the direction of Decatur I made a dash for the party, and upon
catching up with them discovered that it was a detail of the Regi-
ment returning to General Steadman with dispatches. Making
known my condition to the non-commissioned officer in charge, I
remained with the squad, reaching Decatur the same evening. It
has always been a mystery to me as to what became of my horse,
as I was never able to find him. And another question which
always came to my mind and which had an air of mystery about
it w^as, whose horse did comrade Wm. Mullin, of Company F,
ride on the morning the command left Leighton crossroads? for
the horse I picked up was Mullin's, and had a very sore back.

This is the end of my actual participation in the forward move-
ment of the Mississippi campaign. Now comes what happened to
me as a result of this campaign. The next day after the squad
arrived in Decatur, a detail consisting of eighteen men, under
command of Lieut. John Johnston, was ordered out to scout south
of Decatur, your humble servant being one of the number. Tak-
ing the same road which the Regiment had taken on the night of
January ist. and when about four or five miles out of Decatur,
and while stopping at a plantation come little distance from the

462 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

main road, a man riding a white horse was seen by our force, and
immediately eight of us started in pursuit. The Confederate, who
had evidently been sent out as a decoy, made a dash for the woods
a short distance ahead of him, and turning into it was lost from
our view.

Six of our squad — Harry and Frank Craig, Joseph Bontemps,
George French, O. T. McConnell, myself and two other Com-
rades whose names I cannot recall — struck for the woods and
scattered in squads. Comrade McConnell and myself followed a
road running along the edge of the woods, and before we knew it
we were within fifty yards of about twenty-five Confederate cav-
alry drawn up in line and ready to receive us. I believe that I was
the first to notice this band, and told McConnell of their presence.

The rebels immediately commenced firing at us, and seeing at
once that our little band was scattered, I shouted to Lieutenant
Johnston, who with ten men had by this time reached the main
road, to fire on the Confederates. This would have distracted
their attention, allowed all of our force to become united, and w^e
could have made a stand.

The Lieutenant failed to take in the situation, and without
making the least resistance turned toward Decatur, leaving us
eight men to take care of ourselves. Discretion at this time
seemed to be the better part of valor, and after giving the rebels
the contents of my revolver I turned my horse toward the main
road, McConnell following close behind, with not a few Johnnies
very close behind him, shouting at us to surrender. I gained the
main road, and after making the turn toward Decatur I felt my
horse gradually going slower and slower, finally stopping and
falling over, having no doubt been shot by two rebels who were
within twenty-five feet of me at the time.

Of course, I surrendered upon the demand to do so, and upon
looking around saw that eight of our command had been made
prisoners. I was soon placed astride the same horse with com-
rade French, and we were marched ofif to be kept as prisoners of
war for a short time, getting as far south as Rock Springs, Ala.
I cannot recall the exact number of days we were kept in con-
finement, but I think it w^as about three weeks before we joined
our Regiment at Huntsville, Ala., having been exchanged through
the exertions of Colonel Palmer.

THE LYOX SCOUT.

CAPT. H. K. WEAND, COMPANY H, NORRISTOWN, PA.

BATES, in his "History of the Pennsylvania Vokinteers," in
speaking of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, says :
"Upon its return the command was ordered to Huntsville
to rest, but on the night following its arrival Colonel Palmer was
directed to take all his available mounted men and intercept the
rebel General Lyon at Fort Deposit. Failing in this. Colonel
Palmer crossed the river in pursuit, came up with Lyon on January
1 6th, surprised his camp before daylight and routed his command,
capturing his only piece of artillery and ninety-six prisoners,
which were brought off. Lyon himself was taken, but succeeded
in making his escape after shooting the Sergeant who had him
in charge — the only loss."

To the Regiment the affair was of more interest, excitement
and importance than the above brief statement might indicate,
and I have been asked to give a detailed account of the scout.

On January ii, 1865, we were encamped at Masten's planta-
tion, near Huntsville, Ala., to rest and recuperate, but on the next
dav orders were received from Brigadier-General Wood, com-
manding the district, directing Colonel Palmer with all his avail-
able mounted men to pursue and capture the rebel General Lyon,
who had been raiding in Kentucky. We had just completed a
very successful campaign in the rear of General Hood's army and
our horses, much v.'orn and tired out. were in no condition for a
hard march. An order sent to the First Sergeant of each com-
pany to know the number of animals available for a scout resulted
in 138 being so reported. In addition to the number of men
were those upon the Colonel's staff and the company officers, so
that our total force was about 160 officers and men. An immedi-
ate start was made. Captain Harris, our scout, with Lieutenant
Hinchman and the advance guard, under Serg. Arthur P. Lyon,
upon reaching the Tennessee River, signaled the gunboats b_\-
building signal fires and waving lighted torches, and were an-

463

464 History of tlic Fifteenth Pcniisylz'aiiia Cavalry.

swered by the gunboat "General Thomas." Upon advice of Cap-
tain Morton of the "General Thomas," we marched to Clarksville
Landing, where we were ferried across the river on the gunboats
"General Thomas" and "General Grant." When near Warrenton
we received reliable information that General Lyon with one gun
and about 300 men had left the river and marched down Brown's
Valley toward Talladega, but were expecting to camp at Red
Hill. Now commenced a rapid march, our object being to reach
"Summit," in rear of or southwest of Red Hill.

By passing ourselves off as rebels we found that General Lyon
and staff were stopping at "Tom Noble's house," We were
evidently on the right track, for on the afternoon of the 14th
Lieutenant Kirk, in charge of the rear guard, permitting Wm. L.
Bratton and John L. Yost, of Company A, to visit a house, they
returned shortly after with two captured horses and six of the
enemy. Charles Godfrey Leland, in writing his "Hans Breitman
Ballads," says that "the type of Breitman as a soldier was a
cavalryman in the company of Capt, William F. Colton, named
Yost," In selecting Yost as a type he hit on a very worthy man
and an excellent soldier.

About 4 A,M. of the 15th, it being then very dark, the command
was divided. Colonel Lamborn with Kramer's battalion was sent
by the Back Valley road to join Palmer's command by a crossroad.
Palmer now came upon the enemy's pickets, but found them
asleep, and they w^ere easily captured. One post, of six or eight
men, all asleep, was taken by Corp. Geo. Headley and one man.
The main column without difficulty now marched directly into the
sleeping camp, and our men by details aroused them from their
dreams and made them prisoners. In the darkness many escaped,
but left their horses and arms. It was a strange sight and a
novel experience to find ourselves in their company streets, un-
molested, and able to convince them at the point of the carbine
that we were the real, genuine Yankees of whom they had heard
so much. Colton's men w'ere left to gather up the prisoners and
horses, while Palmer with the balance of the command pushed
ahead.

Arthur P. Lyon with the advance guard, under orders, reached
Noble's house. The General's escort were in the yard, but un-
suspicious Sergeant Lyon entered the house and demanded the

The Lyon Scout. 465

surrender of the General, with the result that the Sergeant was
killed, and the General and his staff escaped. The noise of this
shooting alarmed the escort and the remaining camp, and general
firing now took place. The enemy showing a disposition to fight,
Palmer ordered a volley and a charge, and those not already
captured or who had not previously escaped had to flee. The dark-
ness enabled us to surprise the camp, but it also enabled the other
party to elude pursuit.

At this time Lamborn's command was marching on a road
parallel with Palmer, and also succeeded in picking up a number
of men from houses along the road. At one place we observed a
white horse tied in the yard. Kramer always had a fondness for a
good horse, especially if he belonged to a rebel, so we rode into the
yard to investigate and interview the owner. Knocking at the
door, a window was opened, and a man inquired "what was
wanted." Upon being told that we were seeking General Lyon,
with dispatches, he replied, "You can give them to me; I am
Colonel Cabanus, of Governor Brown's staff." We told him "our
orders were to hand them to General Lyon personally, but we could
not locate him." He kindly told us where to find the General,
and then, seeing his horse being led away, shouted, "Whoever
takes that horse gets shot." He now saw that we were not
friendly, and closing the window he took his leave impolitely
through the one in the rear. We got his saddlebags, horse and the
information.

After proceeding some distance we came in sight of a picket
fire on a crossroad. Colonel Lamborn had been led to believe that
we were to encounter a large force in this vicinity, and ordered
Kramer with his command to charge, which was done in gallant
stvle. Firing was now heard from several quarters, and we knew
that it meant a fight. With Kramer away and the rear guard,
under Kirk, not yet up, I was the only officer with Lamborn.
When we came in sight of another picket post the men composing
it were up and acted in an excited manner. By the light of their
fire we could see them, while they could not see us in the darkness.
Colonel Lamborn, not realizing our position, turned to me and
said, "Lieutenant Weand, charge that post !" To which I replied,
"Colonel, I have but one man on a lame mule." He again said,
"Charge !"

30

466 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Fortunately for me and the mule, just then Lieutenant Kirk
arrived with eight or ten men, when the Colonel again said,
"Lieutenant Kirk, charge! charge!" Kirk and myself at once
started with our available force, and once away from Colonel
Lamborn, agreed to approach quietly, and give them a surprise
by leading them to believe we were their own men. We succeeded,
and rode up to them without shot or hail. One of their number
approached Kirk and said, "This is a d — d mean kind of busi-
ness," and "where in the h — 1 are the d — d Yankees?" Another
said to me, "Fall in ! Don't you hear the firing? The Yankees are
on us." Kirk, placing his pistol to the head of the man who had
spoken to him, demanded his surrender, but the -fellow, laughing,
said, "Oh, you can't play that on me ; it has been tried too often."
A Sergeant just then joined us and the man was placed in his
charge.

We now charged the balance of ths party, who fled without
resistance. Colonel Lamborn now joined us with a few more
men, while coming toward us on a run was a body of the enemy.
It was too dark to see their number, but they filled the road and
outnumbered us. Bluff was again our game. Colonel Lamborn
shouted : "Colonel Weand, take your regiment up the hill and
skirmish !" "Colonel Kirk's battalion to the right !" and into them
we went with shot and saber, yelling like Indians. They turned
and fled without a show of fight. To our left was a bank and
woods, and in this direction the majority escaped. A few re-
treated on the road, whom we followed until, reaching a cross-
road, they disappeared to our left, and here we came upon
their artillery, a twelve-pounder, to which was yoked a pair of
oxen.

Colonel Lamborn now formed us in line, for a new trouble
appeared. Coming on our right we could hear approaching horse-
men, cheering and yelling. By the dawn, as they came near, we
saw that it was Kramer and his men, who had evidently been
pursuing the party that we had just met, and this accounted for
their not retreating by the road on which they had come. Kirk,
during the charge, had an opportunity of putting into practice
his saber exercise after emptying his revolver. As no dead were
found, they no doubt were reported as "wounded."' Firing had
now ceased, and it was davlieht. Gatherinsf our command and

The Lyon Scout. 467

prisoners, Colonel Lamborn marched us over to join Colonel
Palmer.

In the darkness this was accompanied with considerable risk.
Colonel Palmer's advance guard sent word back to him that they
were challenged and asked what reply they should make. The
Colonel directed them to answer "Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cav-
alry'' which at once clarified the situation.

At this late day it seems incredible that our small force could
have successfully attacked over twice our numbers and accom-
plished so much. The ground covered by our different attacks
was large and our little force divided, but just before daybreak
it was very dark and the yelling and firing of Lamborn's men,
charging the force on the road to our left, which had charge of
their artillery, with Wagner's command noisily routing out the
rebels in their camps, half a mile to our rear and the shooting and
yelling of our advance guard attacking General Lyon's escort, so
disconcerted the Confederates that they believed our force greatly
outnumbered them and that their only safety was in flight. On
the other hand our men were there for a definite purpose, to de-
feat them and capture as many as possible, and in the darkness and
tumult of the melee, the intelligence and character of the men
guided them to victory. Following the general "mix up" of the
two commands not much attention was paid to the particulars of
Sergeant Lyon's death. The morning was so dark and the events
so confused that his movements after he entered the house where
General Lyon was sleeping could not be followed. From in-
formation given Colonel Palmer at the time, it appeared that
after the Sergeant had captured the General and brought him to
the front of the house, the latter asked if he could get his clothes, to
which the Sergeant replied, "Yes, if you are quick." He then
followed the General into the room and stood in front of the open
fireplace with his back to it and his pistol in his hand. The Gen-
eral went to the bed apparently to get his clothes, and at this
m.oment one of our men opened the door and called out "Sergeant
Lyon, be quick! the rebel escort is rallying," and went out
again. In an instant the General seized a pistol from under his
pillow, fired at and killed Sergeant Lyon and ran back in the
darkness to his escort in the barnyard.

The enemy now being dispersed, the command was formed for

468 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

the return march. We had captured two Captains, four Lieuten-
ants, over 100 privates and non-commissioned officers, besides
100 good horses and a lot of plunder they had stolen in Kentucky,
consisting of boots, shoes, hats, shirts, silks, gloves, etc. I had
charge of the rear guard, and for a time was attacked from a dis-
tance by some of those who had escaped.

When we had all arrived at the river we awaited the arrival of
the gunboats. Kirk was ordered to announce our presence by
firing the captured gun. He succeeded in firing three rounds,
without injury to anyone, we having taken the precaution to give
the gun a wide berth, and as the sound of the firing echoed among
the hills, we heard whistling, and soon saw the smoke of the ap-
proaching boats. They came toward us prepared for action, the
nien at the guns and others were stationed at different parts of the
vessels with muskets in hand. A white undergarment, fastened to a
branch, announced us as friends, and soon the gunboats "Grant,"
"Thomas," "Stone River" and "Burnside," under Fleet Com-
mander Forrest, took us on board and across the river. We were
cordially received by the officers, and handsomely entertained
during our short stay on board.

We spent another day in search of part of Lyon's party, who
still remained on the north side of the river, and were said to be
in Rogers' Cove, but they had taken alarm and disappeared. We
succeeded, however, in dispersing Colonel Mead's guerrillas, after
capturing several of their number, and gave them a more vigorous
pursuit later.

We now took up the march for Huntsville, where, on our
arrival, we turned over our prisoners and cannon to the proper
authorities, and received their commendation for our success.
The movement was splendidly managed by Colonel Palmer, and
our victory saddened only by the loss of that hero, Arthur P.
Lyon, and the escape of the General.

Lyon's body was sent to his home, in New York State, under
special escort of members of the Regiment ; and in the cemetery
in which he is buried there has been a monument erected to his
memory.

There never lived a nobler son, a braver man or a better soldier
than Arthur P. Lyon, Sergeant in charge of the advance guard of
the Anderson Cavalrv.

SERGEANT LYON'S LAST RIDE.

CORP. S. A. ABBEY, PUEBLO, COL.

IN writing- about incidents that occurred almost forty years
ago, one is apt to make mistakes as to minor details, but the
principal facts were such that they impressed themselves upon
my mind so clearly that I can write of them with some certainty.

Arthur P. Lyon belonged to Company A, being a Sergeant.
The object of this expedition was to attack the brigade of the
rebel General Lyon, which had been raiding in Kentucky and had
just effected a crossing of the Tennessee River. The advance
guard was composed of twenty men selected by Arthur P. Lyon
from the different companies, and were under his command.
Sergeant Lyon was selected by Colonel Palmer for this hazardous
duty because of his known bravery and daring. The Regiment
at the time was encamped at Masten's plantation, from which
we rode on a cold January evening in 1865. Huntsville was four
miles away, and in passing through that place we halted there
perhaps an hour. The Regiment followed the detail, which acted
as an advance guard.

Captain Kramer joined us without an overcoat, and borrowed
a gum coat from a member of our company. Sergeant Lyon and
a scout named Harris led us up the valley, and I judge it must
have been midnight when we turned into the Tennessee River
bottom, which was overflowed to at least three or four feet in depth.
Previous to turning into the water, Harris, the scout, had us
equipped with pine torches, and after going quite a distance
toward the channel he ordered a halt. We lighted these torches
and began to swing them over our heads.

In the course of a short time we could hear a steamer coming
up the river, under a slow motion and exhaust. When very nearly
opposite to where we were, the boat, without warning, turned loose
with apparently a thirty-two-pound gun. The shell, passing
through the timber and striking the surface in our rear, made

469

470 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

more noise than any Rocky Mountain thunderstorm I ever heard.
Harris ordered us to continue to swing our torches. No other
shot was fired, but we could hear a boat being lowered. We could
see nothing. When the boat got close enough to hail, the men in
it asked who we were, and in course of time they recognized
Harris' voice. They came on, and Harris made arrangements for
the crossing of the Colonel and the full command on the following
day.

We all remember the crossing of the Tennessee, by taking our
horses and ourselves on that pretty gun deck, polished as highly
as soap and w^ater could make it.

After disembarking we shortly began to climb to higher ground,
and I remember that I rode with Lyon most all that afternoon,
and I recall distinctly also that late in the afternoon on winding
around that crooked, uninhabited mountain road we heard horses
and talk on the road ahead of us.

Lyon rode his horse like a soldier — always on the alert. The
least sound or noise ahead on the road attracted his attention.
Throwing the spurs into his horse, he said, "Come !" and we all
followed, and in course of lOO yards we ran into two men, one
old and one young. They were pretty nearly scared to death at
our wild approach, but Lyon saw they were unarmed, and told
me to stay with them, and turn them over to Colonel Palmer,
which I did.

The Colonel and Captain Harris began to ask questions, and
finally Colonel Palmer said that we would take their horses and
let them go. The old gentleman spoke up, saying, "Mister, if
you take my horse I will starve to death right here in the road,
as I have been unable to use my legs for the past twenty years."
The Colonel smiled, and told him he could retain his horse.

While traveling that lonely road, Lyon remarked to me that he
was sorry that we were again on the south side of the Tennessee.
He said we had just escaped having a very serious time on that
side of the river, and he hoped we would be successful in return-
ing from the present raid.

I recollect of no incident occurring from there to where we
halted late at night. From this place the Colonel sent Harris
down into the valley, for the purpose of locating the rebel camps.

Upon his return, the command moved ofif the high ground

Sergeant Lyon's Last Ride. 471

into a valley. After turning to the left and going up this par-
ticular valley, Lyon told us what was expected, and directed us
in riding through between two rebel regiments — one on each
side of the road — to hold our sabers so that they would make no
noise. As we learned afterward, there was no picket on that road,
the sentries being to the north of the command. Lyon's orders
w^ere to go along at an ordinary gait, and if not challenged to pass
through these regiments in camp and get to the General's house
without a fight, if possible ; but if he found it necessary to cut his
Vv'ay through, he was ordered to do so.

We who composed that twenty will all remember our experi-
ence with those rebel soldiers lying covered under their blankets,
with horses tied to trees and ropes. The fires were dim, it being
almost daylight, and there was not a sound. As it was, we passed
through, and had begun to trot when one man, apparently on
guard at the commissary, called out, "What are you fellers in such
a hurry about?" Some person answered, "We are always that
way." The next question he asked was, "What regiment is that?"
We answered, "The same old regiment with new clothes on."
By that time we were beyond the challenger. From there to the
rebel General's house we traveled at a lope.

Serg. Levi Branthoover told me in Leadville, Colo., in 1879, that
Colonel Palmer, Harris, Lyon and himself had in detail all that
Harris had learned, on his return from his scout, and under the
instructions of the Colonel, he (Branthoover) was to ride with
Lyon, and on arriving at the house where the rebel General Lyon
was staying, he (Branthoover) was to dismount, go into the house
and secure the rebel General. Sergeant Lyon's instructions were
to go beyond the house, turn to the right, go through a swinging
gate into the yard, and then in the immediate rear of the house
capture the escort. We who were on the advance know that the
order was not obeyed. His last command to us before he dis-
mounted was : "Under no circumstances should any man dis-
mount." Every man under Lyon's command understood that he
was expected to obey him.

There was in our Regiment but one Arthur P. Lyon. Born a
soldier, daring, reckless and ever alert for a fight, he was the ideal
raider. He had no sense of fear and no admiration for cautious
soldiers. On this occasion he immediately walked in alone through

472 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

the gate, leaving the detail outside mounted, and fortunately found
a negro boy gathering wood to start the morning fire. He learned
from this negro where General Lyon's room was and immediately
afterw^ard he rapped on the door, and when the rebel General
opened it the Sergeant said, "You are my prisoner." The Gen-
eral replied, "To whom am I surrendering?" Sergeant Lyon told
him to a Sergeant of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. The
General asked permission to return and get his clothing, as he
was in his night robe. My memory makes it appear but an instant
until General Lyon returned and fired a shot from a revolver
straight at the Sergeant. We knew it meant death — the stricken
soldier with a bullet lodged in his brain fell heavily on the floor.
General Lyon escaped in his night clothes through the woods in
the rear of the house.

We immediately started into the lane where the rebel escort
was and — I am not sure, but I think Sergeant Branthoover gave
the order. I will not be positive as to this, as I was at that
time about midway between the front and rear of the advance
guard. I do know that I had a contest with a great, long-haired,
mounted man at the gate. He called for his men to come, but
they did not respond. Finding himself alone he passed back into
the yard out of sight, and I and others proceeded to help ourselves
to some good horses that were in the yard.

The rebels had absolutely deserted everything and disappeared
in the woods in the rear of the house, for when I reached the
road Colonel Palmer was there with the command.

Somebody told him Sergeant Lyon w^as dead. He seemed ter-
ribly shocked. It appeared as if he would never be able to com-
mand. But when he recovered, he immediately turned to Captain
Kramer and told him to take charge of Sergeant Lyon's advance
guard, as there was more work ahead, and for the men to let go
of the extra horses they were holding.

There w^as a rebel battery to the left, camped in the woods, that
must be taken before daylight. Captain Kramer came up on the
jump, with his gum coat flying in the air, and cried "Come on,
men!" and we charged from there to the battery, but found that
the detachment under Lieutenant-Colonel Lamborn had already
captured it, first driving off the rebel regiment who were sup-
porting it.

Sergeant Lyon's Last Ride. 473

I do not know of any incident worth mentioning until we ar-
rived at the river, where our gunboat apparently awaited us. I
have never forgotten how pleased the officers and crew were to
receive that gun and prisoners, and evidently made up their minds
not to lose them, as they placed the prisoners on the hurricane
deck with a guard apparently every three or four feet, each armed
with a cutlass. These prisoners were the rebels who had fired a
shell from the captured gun that struck in the center of the bow
of the boat and went clear through to the gun deck without ex-
ploding.

If this had been the only brave act performed by Sergeant
Lyon, he would be deserving of a finer eulogy than I can pen.
But this was simply the culmination of a series of like daring
deeds, reajching back all through his service. He was one of the
bravest, and belonged to that devoted number of Union soldiers
who did the actual fighting in the Civil War. He was always
voluntarily at the extreme front, right against the enemy, where
danger was the most imminent. If the firing at any other point
was heavier, there he would hasten, without orders, taking with
him all under his immediate command and as many others who
would follow.

ON THE LYON SCOUT.

SERG. WM. MCGEE, REGIMENTAL SADDLER, TOLLGATE, W. VA.

I WAS in what is known in the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavah-y
as "the Lyon raid." I don't propose to write a history of
the raid, but only a part of my personal experience. We
reached the enemy's camp just before day. I was mounted on a
mule, and, as every cavalr3^man knows, a mule is not a satisfactory
cavalry horse. The soldier who is mounted on a mule feels dis-
graced. He soon loses self-respect, and if he sees anyone looking
at him he wants to apologize. He is sure to commence using pro-
fane language, even in his sleep.

When the rush was made into the camp I went in with the rest,
not to fight, but to trade horses. The first horse I came to I
jumped off my mule, and felt of his ears, throatlatch, legs and
feet. Remember, it was very dark, but I decided he was all right.
It took but a moment to strip the mule and transfer my traps to
the horse and mount. I immediately felt my self-respect coming
back in great hunks. When daylight came I discovered I had
made a fine trade. My horse was a mouse color, with dark holster
marks down the shoulders and a dark stripe the full length of his
back, young and sound as a dollar.

After we got back to Huntsville, Ala., in a short time an order
came to camp from headquarters for all the horses captured on
the Lyon raid to be brought to headquarters. It was talked
around camp that the commissioned officers wanted to select the
best for their own use. I didn't like to give up my fine horse, and
I concluded I wouldn't without an effort to save him. I took
him down to the creek and wet him thoroughly and turned the
hair all the wrong way, tied him to a tree, and left him to dry. In
the afternoon I took the horse down, tied him up with the others
for inspection, and stepped back some distance to watch. Pretty
soon the officers came out and went along the line, and they all
passed my horse without taking the second look at him. He was
the best horse I had while in service, and lasted me until way down
in North Carolina with Stoneman.
474

ARTHUR PEACE LYON.

SERG. E. W. ANDERSON,, COMPANY M^ PHCENIXVILLE^ PA.

MY first acquaintance with Sergeant Lyon dates from the
time of my enlistment in the Regiment, I having had the
good fortune to meet him in our neighborhood, at the
residence of a friend, when he was here on a "French" furlough
from Carlisle. He had been in the employ of the Adams Express
Company, at Phoenixville, before he enlisted, and as neither he nor
I knew anyone in the Regiment, we became companions and
formed a friendship which lasted until his death.

One day we were sitting at the big spring in Carlisle reading
a letter from a lady friend greatly encouraging us to be good
soldiers, and then and there we made a compact for a race for
honors in our Regiment, and strange to relate, our promotions
and favors were the same throughout our military career. It is
appropriate that I should write this account of Sergeant Lyon's
life, as our lives were thus strangely linked together.

We will pass over our early campaign life of 1862, as both of us
avoided all military duty as much as possible, until we reached the
battlefield of Stone River, on the 27th day of December, 1862,
when military life commenced in earnest.

At this time Lyon commenced to distinguish himself before the
Regiment. Discipline being lax and officers scarce, he was able
to leave his command, acting as a staff officer under General Stan-
ley, during the fight with the Texas Rangers. Here he first came
into prominence in the sight of the officers. On our return to
Nashville he was twice sent out to the battlefield of Stone River
with ambulances for the wounded, remaining each night at the
home of Dr. Manson, where Major Ward died.

In March, 1863, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal.
Being chiefly engaged around headquarters at Chickamauga, there
was no opportunity for him to distinguish himself until the Knox-
ville campaign after Longstreet, where innumerable opportunities
were presented, of which he promptly availed himself.

475

476 History of the Fiftcentli Pen)isylvania Cqvalry.

Scarcely a week passed during which he was not engaged in
driving in the enemy's pickets, or out with a scouting party, fre-
quently bringing in more prisoners than he had men in his com-
mand. It was a common occurrence to see him at the head of his
advance guard, on his gray bobtailed horse, flying after the enemy
with the speed of an Arabian charger, and as Colonel Palmer told
me, "He was a battalion in himself."

News having been brought to the camp that a number of the
Confederate soldiers belonging to General Martin's and General
Armstrong's brigades had been accustomed to spend the nights
with their families, we were detailed with twenty-five or thirty
men to capture them. Having succeeded in capturing twenty-two
prisoners, among the number Captain Walker, and drawing near
to their pickets. Corporal Lyon was restrained with difficulty from
making a dash on the enemy's picket post and thus starting the
whole brigade in pursuit. However, we stopped at Nick Swan's
for breakfast, and then proceeded on our way after feeding our
horses, but had not been gone a half hour when the two brigades
reached the place in hot pursuit, but they followed us no farther.

After the Knoxville campaign, Corporal Lyon on his return to
Chattanooga was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and com-
plimented at the head of the Regiment for his soldierly conduct.

But little remains for me to relate regarding the remainder of
his military career, as I have had the good fortune to secure a
copy of a letter sent to his mother by Colonel Palmer himself,
giving the following sketch of his military career:

"Headquarters Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry,
"HuNTSviLLE, Ala., February 15, 1865.

"My Dear Mrs. Ferguson, — I avail myself of the opportunity
afforded by the departure of Lieutenant-Colonel Lamborn to the
East to write to you my sense of the loss my Regiment has met
in the death of your brave boy, Serg. Arthur P. Lyon, and also
to express my profound sympathy and that of every officer and
man in my Regiment with you and with all his friends and rela-
tives in this affliction.

"Your son first distinguished himself at the battle of Stone
River, at which time I was not with the Regiment, but I have
heard an account of his gallant behavior on that occasion from
officers who were present. I first became acquainted with his
personal merits in March, 1863, soon after taking command of the

SEIKJT. AKTHl'K P. LYON

Killed at Red Hill, Alabama, January 13, 1865

Arthur Peace Lyon. 477

Regiment. In a skirmish toward the last of that month with a
regiment of rebel cavalry, under Colonel Smith, Private Lyon was
in the advance guard, and exhibited so much courage and dash
that he was immediately promoted to the position of Corporal of
his company by a complimentary order read to the Regiment at
dress parade.

"In our active and hazardous campaign of seventy days in East
Tennessee, in the winter of 1863 and 1864, against the forces of
Longstreet, Corporal Lyon showed such hearty bravery and zeal
that I selected him as 'the habitual leader of the advance guard'
of our Regiment, and by this honorable title he was known to the
day of his death. I never knew him to hesitate when an enemy
appeared, but with a noble enthusiasm that inspired all that were
about him, he invariably dashed upon the rebels with his little
party at the first sight, and thus, in the skirmishes that occurred
almost daily in that campaign, he had generally half won the
victory by demoralizing the enemy before the main body of our
Regiment could reach them and form for the attack. In these
dashes he took a great many prisoners, and I think he personally
captured more prisoners than any man in this army.

"In the battles of Mossy Creek and Dandridge he behaved with
his usual gallantry. He received, as you know, his first scratch
at the cavalry battle of Indian Creek, along the French Broad
River, in East Tennessee, when in the course of a few hours he first
had his horse killed under him ; next the stock of his carbine shot
off by one of the enemy's skirmishers, and lastly, to our sorrow,
he v/as severely wounded in the arm and had to be carried, faint
and bleeding, from the field. He had previously during the same
day, while we were hunting up the enemy, dashed with his
'advance' of twenty-five men upon the pickets of General Arm-
strong's brigade, consisting of a Colonel and eighty men, whom
he pursued for four miles, capturing prisoners and finally running
into the camp of the brigade itself. The dexterity with which he
extricated his little party from their perilous situation, rejoining
his Regiment (which had halted in a suitable position aiid formed,
on learning of the proximity of such a large force), with the loss
of but one man, showed that Corporal Lyon was not brave with-
out judgment, and reflected great credit upon his military skill.
For his gallant conduct in this campaign Corporal Lyon was pro-
moted to Sergeant, and complimented before the brigade in
general orders.

"In a second campaign in East Tennessee, last summer and fall,
'our leader of the advance guard' displayed still more promi-
nently those daring and chivalrous qualities which had already
won the tribute ofadmir^ation and regard from every officer and
man of our Regiment. In a reconnoissance ordered by General
Gillem, near Jonesboro, where my Regiment drove a larger force

478 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

of General Vaughan's cavalry for several miles, from Jonesboro
to the Watauga River, capturing a number of prisoners and hold-
ing the crossing at Devaults Ford, Sergeant Lyon led the advance,
and by his impetuous charges over a difficult and easily defended
country made it impossible for the enemy to form, and enabled
our command to accomplish this important reconnoissance with-
out the loss of a single man.

"The same month (September) he accompanied me on a dan-
gerous expedition with seventy-five picked men from Bristol
through southwestern Virginia into Kentucky, and finally to the
Ohio River, made almost entirely within the enemy's lines, for
the purpose of conveying an important dispatch from General
Sherman to General Burbridge, who was then retreating from the
Virginia salt works. On this expedition, though continually sur-
rounded by the enemy, we succeeded in crossing the Cumberland
Mountains into Kentucky, taking with us a number of prisoners
and a large number of captured horses, and in delivering the
dispatch at General Burbridge's camp without ourselves losing a
man; and this result was to a great extent due to the spirit and
elan with which the little handful of men that we placed in the
front, under Sergeant Lyon, charged the different parties of the
enemy that appeared in our route or crossed our path.

"It was my repeated desire to promote Sergeant Lyon to the
position of a commissioned officer, which he had most richly
earned, and I now regret that, although there was no vacancy in
his company to the day of his death, I did not endeavor to par-
tially reward so much soldierly worth and chivalry by recom-
mending his appointment to a Lieutenant in another Regiment.

"After the recent campaign against Hood, which closed early
in January by the pursuit on the south side of the Tennessee River,
even into Mississippi, of the rear of his shattered force, and the
capture by our body of 600 cavalry, of his entire pontoon bridge,
and nearly 300 wagons with the mules and a large number of
prisoners, I recommended Sergeant Lyon for honorable men-
tion in general orders of the army in my report to General
Thomas. This was both for good conduct throughout the pur-
suit and particularly for having with fifteen men of the Anderson
Cavalry captured, by an impetuous dash on the night of December
28th, in front of Decatur, Ala., two pieces of artillery, with horses
and harnesses, from the rear guard of General Roddy's command.
I had also determined to nominate him to the Governor of Penn-
sylvania for appointment to the first vacancy occurring in the
commissioned officers of the Regiment.

"Unfortunately, immediately after our return from the Mis-
sissippi expedition, we were ordered out from Huntsville, after
the rebel General Lyon, and on this expedition our brave Sergeant
Lyon, by his magnanimity to the captured General, lost his life in

Arthur Peace Lyon. 479

the manner you have heard. If the Sergeant had been captured,
instead of shot, I would have exchanged the rebel General for
him, had he remained in our hands, without the slightest hesita-
tion ; and although, on the official records, our expedition with its
capture of prisoners and artillery is considered quite a success,
yet I assure you there is not a man in the command who would
not have given them all back if that would have restored your
brave and generous boy to life.

"But this is war, and only by such costly sacrifices does it
seem that Providence is willing that our beloved country should
be saved.

"I will close this letter by assuring you that with the scarred
remains that we sent home to you from Huntsville went the heart-
felt sympathy of every man in the Regiment for those who, al-
though nearer to Sergeant Lyon in blood, were only a little nearer
in ties of affection than themselves.

"I am, yours very truly,
"Wm. J. Palmer^ Colonel Commanding,

"Fifteenth Pennsylvania (Anderson) Cavalry:''

During the battle of Indian Creek, mentioned by Colonel Pal-
mer, we met the enemy's skirmishers, who were gradually forced
back until near their line of battle, when they made a stubborn
resistance, compelling our skirmishers to dismount. Sergeant
Lyon, however, remained on his bobtailed gray and rode through
the timber, a regular target for all the Confederate bullets. I
begged him to dismount, but he refused, saying, "There is not the
rebel bullet made that will kill me." My attention was soon called to
the fact that Lyon had been wounded, and on looking up I dis-
covered that one ball had struck the horse's shoulder, nearly dis-
abled his left leg and covered his side with blood; another had
struck Lyon's left arm above the elbow, passed under the skin,
lodged between the shoulder blades, and carried with it quite a wad
of clothing, making a very painful wound. While being helped on
his crippled horse, from the field to the rear, he shouted to
me, holding up his shattered arm: "This is good for a fur-
lough," showing his absolute unconcern at the thought of death,
and I hope changing his opinion that "the rebel bullet was not
made that could kill him."

After his return from the Knoxville campaign little opportunity
was afforded for him to achieve distinction until called out after
"Hood's pontoons." Of this campaign I know nothing, as I had

480 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

received a commission in the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry
and had left for that command on the 27th of November, 1864.

We, in our frequent plans for our future careers, had built
castles, not in Spain but in Mexico, and had fully decided that
after the termination of the war we would go to that country and
fight against Maximilian. I little thought then that when I bade
him good-bye it would be for the last time.

Colonel Palmer has testified very fully as to Lyon's bravery,
honor and fidelity, but in his chivalry and reverence for all South-
ern women he was unexcelled by any gentleman, North or South.
Never, at any time, would he permit any of them, whether Union-
ists or Confederates, to be molested or insulted in any way.

I am pleased even yet to hear the compliments to his military
glory, but I realize that my comrade is with the silent throng and
hears them not. What would a living soldier not give to win such
tribute from his commanding officer?

After Sergeant Lyon's death a Second Lieutenant's commission
was received bearing the date of Dec. 28, 1864, the day he led the
charge on Colonel Wine's regiment below Decatur, Ala., and cap-
tured prisoners and two pieces of artillery.

The following inscription on his tombstone, at Port Henry,
N. Y., is an enduring testimonial to his bravery:

Died for his Country.

Arthur P. Lyon, 2d Lt. 15th Pa. Cav.

Was killed at Red Hill, Ala., on 15th of Jan., 1865.

Aged 24 years.

[Other face.]

Lieutenant Lyon led the advance guard of his
Regiment and captured the rebel General Lyon,
who, after he surrendered, shot Lieutenant Lyon
through the head, killing him instantly. His re-
mains were sent home by his Regiment under escort,
with the message from his Colonel, "He was the
bravest man in my Regiment."

"HOME THEY BROUGHT HER WARRIOR DEAD."

CORP. SMITH D. COZENS, COMPANY L, PHILADELPHIA.

MUCH of the little story that follows has been a matter of
confidence between Bratton and myself during all these
years.

Serg. Arthur P. Lyon was killed on Sunday morning, January
15, 1865, just before the break of day, at a place called Red Hill,
near Warrenton, Ala., some miles south of the Tennessee River.

It is not my intention to go over the story of our brave com-
rade's death, but rather to tell how Lyon's body was taken from
that place to his home.

As with one other comrade I stood in front of that old farm-
house, with the body of the Sergeant, clad in his greatcoat, lying
on the porch, a bullet hole in his left temple and the blood
slowly trickling over his face, I realized that the Regiment had
lost a valuable man, and myself a friend with whom I had been pe-
culiarly intimate. The firing in the road and field beyond and back
of the house had ceased, and the boys were rapidly gathering to-
gether the prisoners and horses that had been captured in this
t^uccessful attack, when Lieutenant Hinchman and one other mem-
ber of the Regiment rode up, and after discussion, the Lieutenant
thought it best that the body of the Sergeant should be conveyed
to where the Regiment was, some yards down the road, and there
await orders from Colonel Palmer.

With another comrade we carried the body out into the
road and unhitched the Sergeant's horse, which was fastened
to the palings. The comrade who was with Lieutenant Hinchman
held the horse while the three of us tried to place Lyon in the
saddle. We got him properly placed after considerable difficulty,
and succeeded in tying his arms around the horse's neck, and in
trying to fasten his legs under the horse the animal became very
restive and reared up, throwing the body to the ground. I can
remember distinctly the horror of our little party at this accident
as we picked up the body from the hard, frozen ground and placed

31 481

482 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

it upon another horse which was not so restive. We were then
joined by two or three other members of the Regiment, who
assisted, while one of them and myself held the body upon the
horse, another led him down the road to where the Regiment had
moved on ahead. Lieutenant Hinchman then left us, and after
traveling probably about a mile he joined us again, having pro-
cured an old carriage, and the body of the Sergeant was placed in
\i, the Lieutenant getting in and driving, and in this way we re-
joined our companies.

The Regiment crossed the Tennessee River on gunboats, and on
the night of the 17th inst. we arrived at Huntsville, pretty well
tired out, and encamped in a piece of woods, four miles out of
town, the officers' quarters being in a large house at the edge of the
woods. We reached camp late, and it was not long before the
most of us were sound asleep.

I can remember distinctly that I was awakened by someone
loudly calling my name, and as the Colonel's orderly stumbled and
climbed over the sleeping comrades toward me, he said that
Colonel Palmer desired me at headquarters immediately. When I
reached the house I found the Colonel and most of the officers
assembled in a large room, drinking coffee, etc., and as I entered
■the room the Colonel looked up, and with that peculiar twinkle in
liis eye, said: "Cozens, how soon can you get ready to go home?"
Hardly comprehending him, and looking down at my too well-
worn clothes, I said, "Colonel, I am ready now." All laughed, and
the Colonel said to me, "You will turn over to the Quartermaster
Sergeant of your Company all property in your possession except
your saber, belt and pistol, and report at the railroad depot at
6 o'clock in the morning, and take charge of the body of Sergeant
Lyon, and I want you to take it home, and say to his mother,
expressing my deep sympathy for her loss, that 'her son was one
of the bravest men in my Regiment, and I deeply deplore his
loss.' When you reach Nashville you will take this letter to
General Miller, commanding that place, where you will receive
the required authority for you to proceed on your journey." He
also gave me an order on one of the leading houses in Nashville
for $100.

In the early morning I walked to the railroad depot and took
charge of the body, and shortly afterwards the Colonel's orderly

"Home They BrougJit Her JVarrior Dead.'' 483

handed me a letter directed to Mrs. Lyon. At the same time com-
rade William L. Bratton, of Company A, reported to me that by
order of the Colonel he was to be my companion on the journey,
for which I was very glad, as Bratton and I had been personal
friends for a long time.

We started for Nashville, Bratton and I and Lyon's body bemg
the sole occupants of a freight car, and a long, cold and miserable
ride it was. We seemed to go about a mile an hour, and then
would stop every little while. We became so cold that finally, to-
ward night at one place we stopped, got out and put in the car a
lot of wood and a large piece of sheet iron, probably about four
feet square, and then shut the doors, and in a short time had
started a small fire on the sheet iron and got a little warmth, and
finally fell asleep. When we awoke it was daylight. The piece of
iron had become heated and burned a large hole in the floor of the
car, and finally, fortunately for us, had cooled.

At the next stopping place we conveyed the body of the Ser-
geant to the next empty car, and took possession as innocently
as you please. We reached Nashville, reported to General
Miller, and were furnished by him with an order for our trans-
portation going and returning and a pass through all guards and
picket posts.

It was necessary to have the body properly coffined and em-
balmed, and that with the express charges cost us within a few
dollars of our $100. I think we had between us five dollars.
We reached Louisville in good time, banqueted at the usual
place, "Soldiers' Rest," and then crossed the Ohio River.
After that every mile counted to two men who had not seen home
for two years and three months. I shall never forget when we
reached Crestline — how we went into the dining room there, with
sabers dangling, dirty and nearly ragged; but we fared sumptu-
ously off some of those five dollars. We passed Pittsburg, then
across the mountains to Harrisburg, Lancaster, and finally the
goodly city of Penn loomed up in the distance.

Before leaving the train we hunted high and low for Lyon's
body, but we could not find it anywhere. However, we went
heme, and the next morning Bratton and I, having procured
some good clothes and looking like two new men, started for New
York. On our arrival there no trace of the bodv could we find,

484 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

but, after inquiry at the railroad depot, were finally assured that
the body would arrive safely at its destination in due time.

On the cars going up the Hudson River everyone on the train
seemed anxious to know what two armed cavalrymen were
doing up in that part of the country, traveling northward. We
told the story how Lyon was killed by General Lyon, and then
someone else would want to hear about it, and about the time the
story was half told another would want to know about it, and
before an hour had passed everyone on the train had been in to see
us and hear the story. We reached Albany and made more
inquiries about the body, but without success, and finally reached
Whitehall about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, which was as far as
we could go by the cars.

The stage (or sleigh) which was to take us the balance of our
w^ay to Port Henry had four occupants — the driver and myself
on the front seat and Bratton and a young lady, returning home
from school, on the back seat. I always liked Bratton, but I dis-
covered that night that selfishness was his besetting sin. He and
the girl monopolized nearly all the rugs, and I almost froze to
death during the long hours we rode right up through the center
of Lake Champlain. The snow was so deep that you could hardly
distinguish where the lake was. We changed horses two or three
times, and each time, against the protest of the driver, I went into
the warm rooms at the relay, and at one place an old man gave
me a big tumbler full of apple-jack, and I drained it to the
bottom, and it was to me just as so much water.

Some time after midnight we reached Port Henry, stiff and
frozen, and went into the big hotel, where I planked myself down
alongside the red-hot stove, and was hardly civil to Bratton or
anyone else. We sat there until morning, and then condescended
to tell the people what our business was. Everybody knew Arthur
Lyon. Was he killed ? How did it happen ? Where is his body ?
Bratton and I began slowly to realize that we were not in the most
pleasant situation. Aye, where was the body? — that was the ques-
tion.

We ascertained that Lyon's folks lived about a mile from the
village, and the landlord hitched up his sleigh and we soon arrived
at Lyon's home. It was a sad and sorrowful scene — ^mother, sis-
ters and relatives — and it wasn't long before the house was full.

"Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead." 485

and we commenced the old story over again in all its details.
The Colonel's letter and message were delivered, and then w^e sat
down to await results.

During the afternoon anxious inquiries were made of us as to
when the body of Sergeant Lyon might be expected, and we
assured them that it would be there soon. Night came and no
word of our charge. Everybody around the country for miles
soon knew what had happened ; and when it is remembered that we
were not far from the Canadian Hne, and that during the entire
period of the war we were the only soldiers who had ever been in
that part of the country except someone of those living in the
vicinity who had been enlisted and returned home on furlough or
discharge, the gay jacket of the Andersons, even if it was a little
faded, with the new clothes that we had bought, made us con-
spicuous objects everywhere we went.

The next morning Bratton and I went into Port Henry and
worked the telegraph for all it was worth from every point from
Cincinnati to New York, but without success, and at last con-
cluding that something must be done, as every preparation was
being made for the funeral, it was agreed that I should start back
over the route and leave Bratton there to do the best he could.

That night I started, and the next morning as I stepped off the
train at Troy I saw the body of Serg. iVrthur P. Lyon, for the
first time since we had shipped it at Nashville, just about being
put on the train for its journey home. I immediately telegraphed
to Bratton and a heavy load was lifted off our hearts. At the
funeral they took the body into the church, which was crowded
with friends and relatives. After the services, Bratton, upon
invitation and on behalf of the Regiment, retold the story briefly,
and repeated the message I had delivered from the Colonel to the
mother.

Bratton and I spent two weeks in Philadelphia, by the kind
permission of the Colonel, and rejoined our Regiment at Hunts-
ville just as they were being remounted, and in time to go with the
boys upon the raid through Virginia and the Carolinas, to close up
the war. My friend Bratton and myself discovered when our
final accounts were settled that the Government was not out any
on this affair, as every cent for our transportation from the Regi-
ment to Whitehall and back was deducted from our pay.

OUR CAMPAIGN AGAINST COLONEL MEAD'S
GUERRILLAS.

LIEUT. JOHN KNOX MARSHALL, COMPANY F, BOSTON, MASS.

FROM the period in 1862 when our army first occupied the
country around Huntsville, Ala., until the close of the war,

all the mountainous country to the east of it, with its rich
valleys, was the stamping ground of those irregular partisans of
the Confederacy generally known to us by the term guerrillas.

They were not soldiers. They did not do one atom of good
toward the establishment of the Southern Confederacy, and, in a
military sense, they did the Union no harm. They were an annoy-
ance to us. They would attack a small party which they over-
whelmingly outnumbered, or would murder a Union soldier who
straggled from his command. The last-named outrage only served
to increase the discipline of our army. They pillaged from the
Union farmers and made the others contribute to their support.
At night small bands of them fired into the railroad trains that
passed, and killed and wounded a good many men. They mur-
dered the wounded Gen. Robt. L. McCook in his ambulance.
They never attacked an equal number of men and never expected
to. They were made up principally of the worst element in the
rebel army, who had deserted from their regiments in the field,
to get out of fighting, but at the same time, to keep up the sem-
blance of being Southern soldiers and avoid being branded as
"deserters," and to escape the conscription officers, they had joined
these bands. In reality they were only murderers and thieves,
banded together to better carry out their purposes, and late in the
war the Confederate authorities came to this conclusion, and issued
orders for their suppression.

The guerrillas were provisioned, clothed and assisted by the
rebel farmers in the mountain valleys, and late in 1864 was
inaugurated the policy of laying waste these places and destroy-
ing the crops, so that the guerrillas would have no supplies to

486

Our Caip.paign Against Colonel Mead's Guerrillas. 487

draw on. The duty was an exceedingly distasteful one, although
considered a military necessity, and we were glad that so little
of it fell to our share. About the middle of January, 1865, Lieut.
David C. White, of Company F, was ordered to report in Hunts-
ville to General Wood's headquarters, with a detail of thirty men
from the Regiment. Here he was introduced to a Captain Mc-
Carty, by one of General Wood's staff officers, and told that
McCarty would take charge of the detail.

They proceeded to Paint Rock Valley and were there joined
by the loist Ohio Infantry, Lieut.-Col. McDonald commanding.
Here White was informed by Captain McCarty that they were to
destroy all the houses in the valley that were being used as harbors
for the bushwhackers and that General Wood had ordered it done.
Lieutenant White felt disgusted at this character of service, but a
soldier's duty is to obey all lawful orders from proper authorities,
and reluctantly they started down the valley applying the torch
to such properties as Captain McCarty designated were to be
burned. The pleadings of innocent women and children that their
homes should be saved were too much for the Lieutenant and he
made a strong protest to McCarty that this was not warfare but
simple cruelty and wanton destruction of property, but the Captain
insisted on obedience to his orders and his orders were to direct
the movements of the cavalry. They were approaching a house at
this time and were met in the yard by a woman who pitifully
begged they would not destroy her home, as her daughter was
very sick in it and could not be moved. Just then she looked at
McCarty and recognizing him asked "what he was doing with the
Yankees?" White asked her if she knew him, to which she re-
plied that "she had known him for years, that he owned property
in the valley and had never been in the army." At this White
refused to take any further orders from McCarty and took his
thirty men up the valley and reported to Lieut.-Col. McDonald
that McCarty was not an officer, not even a soldier, and that he
declined to serve under him. McDonald told him "that "he (Mc-
Donald) had no orders for him; all he was to do was to support
the cavalry and was glad of White's stand, as he was opposed to
that kind of warfare."

Lieutenant W^hite returned to our camp at Huntsville and re-
ported to Colonel Palmer. He had misgivings how his conduct

488 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

would be considered, as McCarty had threatened all sorts of
trouble for him for disobeying the orders of General Wood. But
Colonel Palmer heartily approved of his action and long after-
wards the men of the Regiment learned that our Colonel had de-
clined to receive any orders to burn houses sheltering innocent
women and children, and protested against any part of his com-
mand being used for that purpose.

About a week after, while this man McCarty was in Paint Rock
Valley, he was captured and shot by those who had suffered from
his vengeance.

On January 23, 1865, the Regiment was ordered to look after
Col. L. G. Mead, who was known as the head man of all these
gangs, and our scout was distinguished not so much by fighting
as by the easy time we had of it. In fact, the talk among the
men was that Colonel Palmer took this opportunity to rest up
his horses and keep away from headquarters at Huntsville, where
they seemed to be intently anxious to have us on the go all the
time. Colonel Palmer was too good a soldier and too conscien-
tious to resort to anything like this, and no doubt the object of our
slow movements was to feed his Regiment at the expense of the
rebel farmers and cripple the enemy by using up his stores.

The first day we camped at Widow Rose's plantation, but the
next we caught a guerrilla Captain and several of his men. and went
into camp at the plantation of an ironclad rebel — Mr. Toney.
The next day our advance met twenty-five of them, under the
command of Lieutenant Jones, and chased them two miles, cap-
turing five, besides killing one and wounding another. These
fellows, as a rule, had good horses, and their riders knew all the
trails in the mountains so well that it was hard for us to follow
them. They had no camps, but stopped at the different houses
instead, and a large portion of our captures was made at them.
After our chase of Lieutenant Jones' command and its dispersal,
Colton's and Kramer's commands were sent around by Valley
Head, while the balance of the Regiment crossed the mountain
over a rough trail into Clear Creek Valley, and at Cox's stillhouse
found a large party, where a short, sharp fight took place.

Around the house was a fence, which being too high for our
horses to jump, halted our mounted charge. Lieut. Chas. S.
Hinchman, who led the advance, turned to Philip Miller, of Com-

Our Campaign Against Colonel Mead's Guerrillas. 489

pany M, just in the rear of him, and ordered him to jump off
his horse and throw down the fence, but he, bewildered by the
firing from the house not twenty-five yards away and by the noise
and confusion, was slow in obeying, so Hinchman slipped out of
his saddle and did it himself. At the same time a shot, no doubt
intended for Hinchman, struck Miller and passed through his
bowels. The delay at the fence had been sufficiently long to
enable most of the guerrillas to escape, but we succeeded in cap-
turing seven, and among them was the Lieutenant Jones we
had chased earlier in the day. We camped that night at Shadrack
Tipton's. Miller died that night, and we buried him the next
morning, with military honors, in the woods on the side of a hill,
and as a fit ending set fire to and burned the distillery to the
ground.

There was a curious circumstance in the shooting of Miller.
Early in the morning and all through the day Lieutenant Hinch-
man had been possessed with a premonition that he would receive
a m.ortal wound that day through his bowels, and believed he
could put his finger on the spot the ball would strike him, and by
no effort on his part could he get rid of that dread feeling. When
the advance was stopped at the fence around the stillhouse,
Hinchman was between it and Miller, and no doubt saved him-
self by the quick jump he made from his horse. The shot that
took Miller was at the identical spot on the body where Hinch-
man's premonition told him the shot would hit him.

The next day Colonel Palmer took the first battalion oft" in one
direction, but the balance of the Regiment did not move until
I P.M., and after a short march we all came together again at
Duckett's, near the mouth of Dry Valley. Mr. Duckett had three
sons in the Confederate army. Here our Commissary killed and
issued to the men three calves, which was enough for one day's
ration.

This campaign was the most remarkable of any for its short
marches we ever took. All of our scouting before and after this
was signalized by hard marches — all-night rides — which used up
both horses and men, and much of our sleep was had while
mounted and on the march. Just now we were in a beautiful,
rugged country, the weather was fine, forage was plenty for our
horses and provisions for the men. After our fight at Cox's still-

490 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

house, the guerrillas seemed to have left this part of the country,
for, although they fired a few shots at our pickets one night, we
saw no more of them.

Our marches for the next three days were so short, so very
imusual, as to make them worth recording. On the 27th of Janu-
ary we went two miles to Bridges, across the^Paint Rock Valley.
On the 28th we marched one mile to Parson Taliferro's — Tolofer,
the people all pronounce it. We killed his sheep and had fresh
mutton to eat. The next day we marched nearly two miles, to
Russell W. Clay's place on Lick Fork, where our meat ration
was pork and turkey. The creek was full of fish, and although
our tackle was of the crudest kind, many of the men had fresh fish
added to their diet.

The next day we crossed the mountain again. We never rode
over these high hills. As the Regiment began the ascent, the order
vv-as given to "dismount," and we walked to the top. If one's horse
was not well trained it was necessary to lead him by the bridle
rein, but many of them would follow their owners, just as a well-
trained dog follows its master. Reaching the top of the mountain
the Regiment was mounted again, and continued so until the
descent was reached, and then we dismounted and walked down.
This saved horseflesh and gave the men a kind of exercise they
needed. Crossing this mountain, the name of which was Cedar
Ridge, brought us over to Larkin's Fork, and we encamped near
Salem. Our march next day was by way of Mountain Fork, and
we fed at Hambrick's, on Hurricane Creek, which the people here
call "Harricane." Stopped at Whitman's, where we spent the
night.

About 9 o'clock that night, while Dager, of Company F, was on
vedette on the Newmarket road, he heard approaching what, from
the sounds, he thought was a battalion of cavalry, and gave the
usual hail, "Halt! Who goes there?" and getting no reply, fired
his carbine, and got back to the reserves. The shot was heard
in camp, and almost instantly the dififerent companies were formed
in line, and one of them was out on the "double-quick" to reinforce
the reserve picket. Then it was found that the innocent cause of
all this was a Dr. Norris, who, in his rattling one-horse shay, was
out visiting some patients, and only knew of our presence when
^ bullet whistled by his ear and w^ent out through the back curtain.

Our Campaign Against Colonel Mead's Guerrillas. 491

This Dr. Xorris was a most estimable gentleman, as we found out
later, when we became acquainted. He had two brothers in Phila-
delphia, celebrated as locomotive builders, but he had made his
home in this country, where he resided all through the rebellion.

The next day's march took us to our old quarters at Masten's
plantation, just outside of Huntsville, having finished one of the
easiest and most pleasant scouts we ever took, and both men and
horses were in better condition at its close than at the beginning.

OUR LAST CAMPAIGN AND PURSUIT OF JEFF DAVIS.

CAPT. H. K. WEAND, COMPANY H, NORRISTOWX, PA.

ON March 5, 1865, the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry broke
up camp at Masten's plantation, just outside of Hunts-
ville, Ala., and made a leisurely march to our old camp at
Wauhatchie, where we arrived on the loth. On the way we were
unfortunate in losing Thomas Ginn, of Company A, who was
drowned while crossing Battle Creek.

March i6th. — The Regiment was put on the cars for Knoxville,
where it arrived the next day. Before leaving quite a number of
changes took place among the officers. Lieutenant-Colonel Lam-
born having resigned, his place was taken and ably filled by Chas.
M.Betts,who had been our Major. Capts.Wm. Wagner and Abra-
ham B. Garner were promoted to Majors ; Lieut. Geo. Hildebrand
to Captain Company B; First Lieut, and Adj. Chas. E. Scheide
to Captain Company K; First Lieut. J. C. Reiff to Adjutant;
Serg.-Maj. Jno. F. Conaway to First Lieutenant Company B;
Serg. Theo. F. Ramsey to First Lieutenant Company H. Colonel
Palmer, having received his brevet rank as General, commanded
a brigade, composed of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania, Tenth Michi-
gan and the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry. Col. Chas. M. Betts com-
manded our Regiment; Capt. Henry McAllister was detailed as
Assistant Adjutant General, and Lieuts. Anthony Taylor and
Jno. F. Conaway as aids on General Palmer's staff.

March 21st. — The long march began. We started from Knox-
ville in an ordinary rainstorm, which increased in intensity during
the day, and at night had developed into a furious hailstorm. We
are in the lightest marching order, and our shelter tents are a
poor protection at such a time. Encamped at night at Strawberry
Plains, where we were joined by the other Regiments of our
brigade.

The expedition is commanded by General Stoneman, while
General Gillem commands the division, and the brigades are
492

€^. ^

^ ,.

LIEUT. COL. CHAS. M. BETTS

Our Last Campaign and Pursuit of Jeff Darns. 493

commanded by Generals Palmer and Brown and Colonel Miller.
We have a battery of four guns, and in all about 5000 men.

March 22d. — Crossed the Holston River to-day and went into
camp at Mossy Creek, where we had a hard fight over a year ago.
Here, in a rude graveyard, Lieut. Harvey Lingle, killed in that
battle, sleeps his last sleep. His old company sodded and planted
flowers on his grave.

March 2jd. — Marched to Morristown, and had a cordial, hearty
welcome from the loyal citizens. These people came from all
the surrounding country to see us, and while perched on their
rail fences greeted us with smiles and many a ludicrous expres-
sion. At this place four horseshoes and nails were issued to each
man, which has a smack of a hard campaign in it.

March 2jth. — Met the first rebel force to-day, consisting of
about sixty men of General Vaughan's command. Company E of
our Regiment had the advance, and charged with such spirit that
they were driven ofif, leaving four prisoners in our hands. No
serious loss on our side, except that Sergeant McNair's horse was
shot and gave him an ugly tumble in a ditch.

March 26th. — Went thirty miles to-day, through Leesburg,
Jonesboro and Dry Cove. As we get nearer to the mountain for-
age becomes more scarce, and to-day our horses went hungry.

March 2'jth. — Moved early to find something for our horses to
eat, and found a short feed for them on the south bank of the
Watauga River. Marched eighteen miles, and bivouacked on
the mountain pass near the top of Stone Mountain at 4 a.m., on
the 28th. Our march this night was one that those who partici-
pated in it will never forget. The road at times ran close to dan-
gerous precipices, over which occasionally a horse or mule would
fall, and in like manner we lost one of the artillery caissons, but
no man was hurt. Many loyal citizens built fires along the road
and at dangerous places, and also at difficult fords over the moun-
tain streams. Looking back as we toiled up the mountain, the
scene was grand and imposing as the march of the column was
shown by the trail of fire along the road. Occasionally an old
pine tree would take fire and blaze up almost instantaneously,
looking like a column of fire. It was an impromptu illumination,
and the sight of it repaid us for the toilsome night march.

March 28th. — After a rest of four hours, we started at 8 a.m.

494 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

and marched until i p.m.^ when we halted at Sugar Grove, N. C,
and after an hour's rest went on to Boone. Here the rebel Home
Guards foolishly tried to stop our march, but the advance brigade
went at them at once, and killed six, wounded three and captured
fifty-six, while our only casualty was one man wounded. We
continued our march through the valley and across the Blue Ridge,
which is not so difficult to ascend or descend as the Great Smoky
range.

March 2pth. — Started at 8.30 a.m. and marched over a good
mountain road, coming down to the Yadkin River, which we
forded twice to secure forage, the last time when it was raining
hard and so dark that the horse in front could not be seen, and
many an unfortunate one got a thorough soaking in the river
when his horse stumbled over the rocks. Got as far as Wilkes-
boro, and went into camp at a fine plantation, which gave us an
abundance for both horse and man.

March 30th. — Rained hard all night long and everything was
wet through when we moved, early in the morning, down the
stream four miles to a point opposite Wilkesboro, crossing Reddies
River. The water rose so rapidly that the balance of the com-
mand could not cross, and we were on this side alone, but in no
danger, unless the enemy should come at us in boats.

March ^ist. — Still raining, but it is impossible for the men to
get any more wet than they were yesterday. There being no chance
for the other troops to cross to our side, we marched down the
river ten miles to Roaring River, but that, too, was impassable.

April 1st. — Marched through extensive pine forests to-day,
where few inhabitants were found. About 4 p.m. w^e reached the
village of Elkin, where we found a large cotton factory, in which
sixty girls are employed. All of them welcomed the Yankees.
We did not molest the mill, which was a fine one, but connected
with it was a storehouse filled with supplies of flour, meat, butter,
honey, molasses, tobacco and chestnuts, all of which was a perfect
Godsend to us. We miss our "hard-tack" very much, now that
it is all gone. In place of it flour and cornmeal are issued, which
usually is mixed with water and fried, but if we stop long enough
the colored women bake it for us, and how good it tastes !

April 2d. — Started at noon, and passed through the towns of
Dobson Courthouse and Mt. Airv, which are verv ordinarv vil-

Our Last Campaign and Pnrsuit of Jeff Daz'is. 495

lages, although post offices, and all the letters in them we collected
and read as we rode along. Marched until ten at night, with the
word that we must start again at 2 a.m.

April jd. — Started on time with our Regiment in the advance.
It was learned that a rebel wagon train was in our front, going to
Bristol. Lieutenant Phillips with his Companies G and E was
sent after it, and captured the twenty-two wagons which com-
posed the train, and destroyed them. On arriving near Hillsville,
Va., a few Home Guards made some resistance, but soon let up,
when they found we wanted to get into the town. Here we found
supplies of flour, butter, etc., and all the men were supplied with
tobacco. It was 2 o'clock in the morning when we went into
camp.

April 4th. — Off again at daylight, and at noon entered the
pretty village of Jacksonville, where we were met by two citizens
— a lawyer and a doctor — who, in regulation style and with the aid
of a large white flag, surrendered the town to us. It was not
necessary for them to have done this. It looked to us ridiculous,
as just now anything we wanted we took. But these people have
been so deluded by their papers that they are under the impression
that to burn houses and rob them of all v^^e can carry off is our
mission here, and they are relieved when they find the mistake.

There had been assigned to the brigade a young telegraph
operator, John J. Wickham, who, when opportunity offered, ren-
dered valuable assistance. Before reaching Christiansburg we
had learned that the office of the telegraph company was in a
freight car at the farther end of the town, and before the Regi-
ment reached that place. Lieutenant Hinchman, with a small de-
tachment with Wickham, was sent to capture it, and learn what he
could of the movements of the rebels from the dispatches he could
gather in. Making their way round the town in the evening they
reached the car without discovery, and captured the operator at
his instrument. Wickham began calling "Lynchburg," but re-
calling the fact that the operator there would know a stranger was
telegraphing, forced the Christiansburg operator to send the mes-
sages. He asked if they had any news of the Yankees, and kept
up the conversation for some time, until a pointed question by
Wickham, about the rebel forces, aroused the suspicion of the
Lynchburg man, who said, "I believe I'm talking to the Yankees

496 History of the Fifteenth Fcnnsylz'aiiia Cavalry.

now." Wickham then took the key and told him truthfully who
he was, and at that the Lynchburg man let out with all the "cuss"
words he was able to recall, and even these could not express his
feelings at having given any information that could give aid and
comfort to the enemy, and especially was his blasphemy heaped on
the poor operator who had been forced to send the messages. But
here Wickham stopped him, and wired back that he should not
blame him, as a fellow with a pistol at his head is apt to say just
what the fellow who holds the pistol wants him to say. That
ended the telegraphing, but the operator at Christiansburg thanked
Wickham for the message he sent, as it would put him right with
his associates in the rebel service. Wickham was a strenuous
youth in those days, and continued to make his mark, so that
when he died, a few years ago, he occupied the position of a Judge
in the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.

The Regiment stopped to rest and feed the horses, late in
the afternoon, some four or five miles from Jacksonville. About
dark the first battalion, under Major Wagner, left the Regiment
with details from six companies — about 221 men. It rained hard
all night and we marched until 3 o'clock in the morning, when we
halted in a ploughed field until 5 a.m. During the day we captured
a lot of good horses.

THE MARCH OF MAJOR WAGXER's BATTALION.

April 5^/i.— Rainy ; marched all day ; passed through the town
after a railroad train, but they heard us coming and got away.
It was, however, a close call for them. We then burned the rail-
road bridge over the Roanoke River, and marched to Coyners'
Springs, a railroad station. Here we captured a car, loaded with
express goods, and got all the tobacco we could carry, giving our
colored followers the rest of it. We then burned the car and the
station, and marched to Buford's, camping at 10 p.m., near the
Peaks of- Otter. We were fired on by bushwhackers several times
along the road.

Mr. Buford had relatives — Colonels and Generals — in both
Northern and Southern armies, and treated us courteously. Be-
fore breakfasting with him he took several of the officers into
his yard, where there was a great slab of granite, on the side of
which was inscribed "Peaks of Otter," and on the upper surface

Our Last Campaign and Pursuit of Jeff Davis. 497

were two depressions used as basins. We washed in these, so
we could say we had bathed our faces on the "Peaks of Otter."
This granite slab had been intended a few years before as Vir-
ginia's contribution to the Washington monument, but had been
broken in bringing it down from the peaks. Mr. Buford was in
the habit of inviting his guests to do as we did.

April 6th. — Left camp at 10 a.m. ; marched to Liberty, Va.,
where the Mayor of the town came out with a white flag and
surrendered the town to us. This is a very pretty town. We
passed through some very fine country during the day. After
leaving Liberty we marched to two very high trestle railroad
bridges across the Big Otter. We halted here, and filled the
bridge with fence rails, so as to have them ready in case we should
want to burn it. We then went into camp by the bridges at 9
p.M.^ eighteen miles from Lynchburg, which was reported full of
rebel infantry.

April yth. — The battalion laid in camp all day. Sergeant
Anderson and twelve men marched to within eleven miles of
Lynchburg, meeting a few rebels on the road and exchanging
shots with them. About 11 p.m. we were ordered to saddle up,
formed column and started out toward Lynchburg, but before
starting we fired the railroad bridges.

April 8th. — About daylight we ran on the rebel pickets ; both
sides fired, and we had one man. King, of Company D, killed.
We charged, and drove them to within three miles of Lynchburg,
capturing two of their pickets. We halted and fed until 7 a.m.,
then marched to another road and started back, as our force was
too small to attempt to capture the city. During the morning the
battalion had a fight with a party of about forty rebels, and soon
drove them off. Corp. Wm. J. Curren, of Company B, was
wounded, and had to be left at a citizen's house, as w^e had no
way to bring him with us. Marched forty-six miles since 11 p.m.,
passed through New London, and went into camp near Goose
Creek at 5.30 p.m.

April pth. — Saw this morning from camp a squad of about forty
bushwhackers. We started out at 8 a.m.. crossed Goose
Creek, and had not gone far before they fired on us. They fol-
lowed us six or seven miles, firing whenever they got a chance,
and managed to shoot one of our horses. We left a squad of our

498 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

men in ambush near a crossroad, to wait for the whackers. They
soon came along on the crossroad, and when they got within
range our party fired on them, shot two men and captured two
horses. Crossed the Roanoke River, and went into camp about
dark.

April loth. — Left camp at 8 a.m., in a hard rain, marched over
a mountain, passed through FrankHn Court House, Va., and
marched to within seven miles of Henry Court House, where we
halted and fed. Here we heard that about 1500 rebels were at
Henry Court House waiting for us. They had heard of our com-
ing, and had been sent from Danville to capture us. We struck
out to the left of Henry Court House, and marched all night to
get away from them. We marched fifty-five miles, from a.m. of
the loth to A.M. of the nth.

April nth. — Halted about 7 a.m., to rest and feed, six miles
from Ayresville. We marched again at 11 a.m._, and passed over
the mountains into North Carolina. About dark the advance
guard ran on to twenty rebels, and recaptured three men of the
Eleventh Michigan. Halted here and fed. We marched again
at 10 p.m., passed through Germantown about 3 a.m., also passed
through Salem, N. C. ; marched forty-six miles.

Among the rebels captured here was Thomas W. Wheat, who
had the distinction of having loaded the first gun that fired on
Fort Sumter. He was in a South Carolina battery, and Captain
Hallenquist, who commanded, pulled the lanyard w^hich dis-
charged the gun. Wheat's captured comrade told us of this, and
our good-natured Major Wagner said to Wheat : "So you are the
man who caused all this trouble? What did you fire on Fort
Sumter for?" "Because I wanted to capture it," retorted Wheat.
With others he was given his parole and an extra lot of provisions,
and started oflf for his farm, way off on the Oostanula River.

April I2th. — Halted at 7 a.m. and fed, having marched all
night. Started on the march again at 8 a.m., passed through
Louisville and Huntsville, crossed the Yadkin River, and at 5 p.m.
halted and fed until 7 p.m., when we started out again, and passed
through ]\Iocksville. We caught up with the balance of the Regi-
ment about 3 A.M. It was raining very hard, and we went into
camp, about three miles from Salisbury, which place was captured
this morning by Stoneman's command. This was a very impor-

Our Last Caiupaigii and Pursuit of Jeff Davis. 499

tant capture, and we got immense quantities of all kinds of stores.
In the last three da}-s and four nights our battalion marched 207
miles. Major Wagner was highly commended for the skillful
manner in which he had accomplished his mission, which was to
destroy the railroad and bridges and lead the enemy to suppose
that an attack was to be made on Lynchburg. When he left the
main column of Stoneman's fo.rce it was left to his discretion
as to where he should go after his work was done. Fortunately
he heard rumors of an advance of Basil Duke's Confederate com-
mand and of a movement of troops in the direction of Salisbury,
and concluded that these must be Stoneman's forces, so he took
the same direction.

The movement of Major Wagner's battalion around Lynchburg
was of much greater importance than we had at that time any
idea of, as it was a factor in bringing about the surrender of the
Army of Northern Virginia, on April 9th, at Appomattox, less
than 20 miles off. When General Lee was forced out of Peters-
burg and Richmond, it was his intention to move south, by wa\-
of Danville, joia General Joe Johnston's army and overwhelm that
of General Sherman. But the rapid movements of Sheridan's
cavalry and the advance of our infantry forces headed him oft'
from Danville, leaving the Lynchburg route the only one open to
him. There had been rumors that General Thomas was to move
through East Tennessee and Virginia, and the report of Major
Wagner's force at Lynchburg gave great concern to the Con-
federate Commander, as it looked like the advance of the Army
of the Cumberland. Lee was then at Amelia Court House, and
waited twenty-four hours to find out the situation at Lynchburg.
It was a fatal wait for him. The old tactics of following up
the enemy had been superseded by that of heading him oft', and
the twenty-four hours which Lee lost gave Sheridan's troopers
and Ord's Infantry time to get in his front at Appomattox.

MOVEMENTS OF THE REGIMENT.

April 5th. — The Regiment was at Christiansburg, which is a
beautiful village, with a fine seminary. We had the opportunity,
and soon all the negro women in town were baking bread. We
took our first lessons here in destroying railroad tracks. We also

500 History of the Fifteenth Peimsyhania Cavalry.

captured some cars loaded with Confederate stores, but as we
could make no use of them they were destroyed.

When we left Knoxville we had thirteen ambulances, but our
march had been such a rough one that all were broken down. The
medicines were all lost, and what sick men we had were sent to the
Confederate hospitals here.

April 6th. — Rested all day, and at lo o'clock at night started
on our march, which was kept up all night and until noon of
the 7th, when we stopped to feed. Crossed the Blue Ridge again
at Kennedy's Gap. While we are now experts at mountain
climbing, it gives us no pleasure. It was late at night when we
went into camp, too tired to get supper. We seize all the horses
as we go along, and get so many, that as those in the column
become exhausted, a fresh one is at hand, and the exhausted one is
abandoned.

Passed some extensive Confederate stables, but the rebels had
left no horses in them.

April 8th. — A charming day, and the country presented a mag-
nificent appearance. Marched from 3 a.m. until 3 in the after-
noon, to Henry Court House. The Tenth Michigan, which was in
advance of us, had a fight with Wheeler's cavalry, and drove
them.

If we are working hard we are living well. There are chickens,
ham, eggs and biscuit for the men and plenty of forage for the
horses. Captured some stockings, which were intended for the
rebel army.

April pth. — Started at 2 in the morning, passing through a fine
section of country, the home of the aristocratic Virginia tobacco
planters. The houses and yards are beautiful. Tobacco is so
plentiful that all are smoking very fair cigars. We captured some
fine horses, for although all the stock has been run off in the
woods, the negroes tell us where they are concealed, and if we
have time we go and get them.

Reached Danbury a little after dark, having marched forty
miles.

April loth. — After a sound sleep, jumped into the saddle again
at 6 o'clock in the morning, and reached Germantown at noon.
This is unlike the Germantown that many of us know, as it is
without paint or whitewash, and laziness is apparent all over it.

Our Last Campaign and Pursuit of Jeff Davis. 501

At 6 P.M. we reached Winston and Salem. Each has a name of
its own, but the two towns are really one. Here we met with a
most cordial reception, very different from the usual greetings we
receive. The ladies cheered us, and brought out bread, pies and
cakes. The towns were settled by Moravians, from Bethlehem,
Pa. The people showed much enthusiasm at the sight of the flag
we carried, and many were the touching remarks made about it.
Old men wept like children and prominent citizens took oft' their
hats and bowed to it. Some women got on their knees, while we
heard such expressions as : "Look at the old flag !" "God bless it !"
"Let me kiss that flag!" "Once more the flag goes through our
town." There are plenty of stores here, and in the center of the
town one of the finest seminaries we have seen in the South. It
was a charming place and they were good Union people, but we
had no time just then to do more than acknowledge it.

At 9.30 in the evening the command left, and at 1 1 had
reached Kernersville, where Captain Kramer with eighty-six men
left us, and took the road to Jamestown, and traveling steadily
all night got there at 5 o'clock in the morning. Immediately he
commenced the destruction of the railroad depot, and freight cars
loaded with commissary stores, and burned the bridge over Deep
River, capturing more prisoners than he cared for just then. One
man, Geo. Alexander, took twelve, all by himself. At Florence,
Lieut. Ed. Smith captured and destroyed a gun factory, which
was filled with small arms and valuable machinery. Having ac-
complished this, Kramer returned to Kernersville, where he was
joined by Colonel Betts, having marched fifty-two miles in twelve
hours. He brought in thirty-five prisoners, besides remounting
his men from horses captured on the road.

At the time that Captain Kramer's force left us, :\Iajor Garner
with 100 men was sent to burn the bridge over Reedy Fork. It
was the expectation that by an all-night march these detachments
would arrive at their destination about daylight. But Garner
encountered some trouble, which forced him from the direct
route, so that he did not arrive until 1 1 the next day, and as the
bridge was a new one, built of hardwood, it took longer to destroy.
By two hours' hard work with axes and saws on the main beams
it was put in condition for fire to do the balance of the work.

In the meantime the enemy was constantly being reinforced,

502 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

so that Serg. John K. Marshall, who was defending the working
party, had serious doubts at times whether he could succeed, but
eventually all was accomplished, and the command started back.
Lieut. Theo. Ramsey was detailed to lead the advance guard, but
Marshall objected, and he (Marshall) was told to go ahead, while
the enemy continued to follow at some distance.

Garner expected to cross the Yadkin at Shallow Ford, but
learning that it was held by a superior force of rebels, he made
for Conrad's Ferry, some distance above. After a wait of a couple
of hours he got his men and horses across on a boat, at 2 o'clock
in the morning. In crossing South River in the darkness and rain,
the horses swimming, one man was captured. He had lost his
horse, the mule he rode would not swim, and while he debated
v/hat to do the rebels came up and settled the question for him.

Garner made numerous captures of men and horses, and
brought the first authentic news of the whereabouts of Jeff Davis
and his Cabinet, who had passed over the Reedy Fork bridge
just an hour before it was destroyed. To prevent the enemy from
sending any forces to stop Kramer and Garner in the work laid
out for them. Colonel Betts with ninety men moved forward to
demonstrate on Greensboro, where the enemy was said to be
in heavy force. Just at daylight he learned that a cavalry regi-
ment was encamped within a mile of him, and feeling the impor-
tance of neutralizing its movements he determined to attack it.
Strengthening his advance he moved ahead cautiously, and when
in sight of the camp charged at once, making all the noise pos-
sible. Strickler, the bugler, sounded the charge as well as he
could, on a blind horse, who needed more guiding than the bugle
he held to his lips. The attack was a surprise, and although many
escaped, Betts found he had nearly as many prisoners, including
the commanding ofihcer. Colonel Johnson, as he had of his own
men. The Regiment was the Third South Carolina Cavalry.

Soon after the capture, Serg. Selden L. Wilson was detailed to
take ten men, burn the bridge over South Buffalo Creek and cut
the telegraph wire. The bridge was ten miles from their present
position and within two miles of Greensboro, and from the known
superior force of rebels in the neighborhood it was not considered
likely that the work could be done without the loss of all or part
of the detachment. However, Wilson did it, and rejoined, without

Our Last Campaign and Pursuit of Jeff Dazns. 503

the loss of a man. A few days after we learned that while the
bridge was being destroyed Jeff Davis and party were in a train
on a siding in Greensboro, two miles away, expecting to be cap-
tured. Had Sergeant Wilson known it, Davis would have been
caught then, had it taken every man he had.

Colonel Betts' column was somewhat amazed by the numerous
parties of rebels who hovered around, but no serious attack was
made. At Kernersville, Captain Kramer's command was await-
ing their arrival, and without stopping for Garner, who came in
the following night, the command moved toward Salem. A
courier from General Palmer met them, ordering them on at a
gallop, as the rebels were pushing into that place. A second
courier soon after arrived with word that the attack had been
repulsed, and to bring the column on at a walk, and at this orderly
gait Salem was reached about 2 p.m. on the nth.

It was considered that the marching in the last forty-eight
hours had been sufficient to satisfy all, but it was not so, for
at 5 P.M. "boots and saddles" sounded again, and the weary ride
w^as again taken up. Crossing the Yadkin at Shallow Ford, the
column continued until 3 o'clock in the morning, when it stopped
near Mock jMountain, having been constantly on duty for forty-
eight hours. "Shallow Ford" over the Yadkin, as well as the
ford we used over the Dan River, three miles from Danbury,
were both used eighty-five years before by the British army, under
Lord Cornwallis, while pursuing the troops of General Morgan,
who had so beautifully whipped the British, under Colonel Tarle-
ton, at Cowpens.

April I2th. — We had thoroughly destroyed the railroad around
Greensboro, and attracted the attention of the rebels to that place,
so that General Stoneman with the greater part of his command
could capture Salisbury. We started for the latter place early in
the morning, and trotted our horses most of the way. It was a
long, weary ride. Forded the Yadkin again at a very deep ford,
but arrived within five miles of Salisbury by 10 p.m.. and went
into camp.

In capturing the place General Stoneman got over 1000 pris-
oners and fifteen pieces of artillery. One of the rebel batteries was
manned by "galvanized Yanks" — 'thosg who had been prisoners
in Andersonville, but had gone into the rebel service to get

504 History of the Fifteenth Pcnusylrania Cavalry.

something to eat. As they were charged by our men their cannon
was fired over the heads of the charging party, who, as they came
nearer, were greeted with cheers for the old flag. Two hundred
of our men, Sahsbury prisoners, were recaptured, but the great
majority had been hurried farther south. The men we recap-
tured were emaciated and gaunt looking. In the burial ground,
attached to the prison pen, thousands of our men sleep. A great
fire in the town that night lighted up the heavens, while the burst-
ing of shells sounded like a heavy battle. Salisbury had been a
hated place, and was paying dearly for its iniquities.

April i^th. — Major Wagner rejoined us at 5 p.m., and the Regi-
ment moved toward Statesville, but marched only twelve miles,
and bivouacked at a place called Fleming.

April 14th. — The second battalion rested to-day, but the third,
under Captain Kramer, was sent to destroy a bridge and guard
a ford in the river. It was here that we learned of the surrender
of General Lee. Quartermaster-Sergeant E. H. Engel, of Com-
pany L, with one man was sent by Lieutenant Morton to report
to Colonel Betts, and on the way met two Confederate cavalry-
men, displaying a white rag, to show they were friendly. They
reported Lee's surrender to General Grant, and were then on their
way home. At 7 p.m. the Regiment marched to Statesville, which
place was reached some time after midnight.

April 15th. — ^Daylight showed us that Statesville is a very pretty
town. It was said that it had been picked out as the future capital
of the Southern Confederacy, but from present appearances the
latter won't need a capital. We meet now plenty of returning Con-
federates, and they give interesting accounts of the fall of Rich-
mond and Lee's surrender. They say it was Phil. Sheridan and
his cavalry that did the mischief. They never saw any lighting
equal to what our cavalry did on that campaign. All are glad
it is over, and to get home once more. After resting in camp
all day our command started on the march at 6.30 p.m., and after
midnight reached Taylorsville, and v/ent into camp. There was
considerable firing at us by the rebels on the march, but it was
harmless, so no attention was paid to it. The word has been
passed around that as the chief object of the campaign — the de-
struction of railroads and the capture of Salisbury — had been at-
tained, the whole command will now return to East Tennessee.

Our Last Caiiipaii^^n and Pursuit of Jeff Davis. 505

General Stoneman, who has been in command, has gone back to
Knoxville, and General Gillem. who is the next in rank, is on his
way there, while the brigade commanded by Gen. Wm. J. Palmer
is to go to Lincolnton, to pick np and parole all returning rebels
who have not yet surrendered but have simply "slid out, as the jig
is up," as some of them expressed it.

April I /til. — Marched thirty miles to-day. At Hickory, a sta-
tion on the road, the rebels destroyed a large amount of stores and
cotton. In a military sense it was wise to destroy stores that might
be of use to us, but to burn their cotton was rank foolishness. We
cannot use it and have no way to transport it North, where it is
selling at seventy-five cents per pound. Everyone recognizes that
the rebellion is on its last legs, and that in a short time they could
realize from a waiting market an amount of money which would
go far to make up for their losses, but a madness seems to make
these people believe that in so despoiling themselves they are in
some way hurting us. About dark we reached Lincolnton.

The advance guard entered the town without any disturbance,
but when the column appeared a half hour after, with General
Palmer at its head and the buildings of the town in sight, one shot
was fired from the side of the road in front which came near end-
ing the career of our General. Without waiting for an order to
do so. the orderlies, under Serg. Jas. Agnew, dashed forward,
followed by Company E, which was the leading company that
day. The bushwhacker running across the field was in plain sight,
and in a few moments our men were across the fence and had
him surrounded. The prisoner, a beardless boy of fifteen or six-
teen, was taken along, the General ordering that he be brought to
him as soon as we were quartered in the town. To this hearing
his mother came also, and her pleadings for the boy's life were so
strenuous that the General told her to take the boy home and keep
a better watch over his actions.

April i8th. — The Regiment rested at Lincolnton. The Tenth
Michigan and Twelfth Ohio were sent ofif on the railroad, while
Major Wagner's battalion was out after horses. This is a pretty
town, of about 1000 inhabitants ; they are extremely rebellious—
bitterly so — but with it all are refined and intelligent. They have
hardly felt the ravages of war, and we are the first "Yankee in-
vaders to pollute their soil." But even with these sentiments the

5o6 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

proverbial Southern hospitality governs them, and invitations to
dinner are generously given, while the colored people are eager to
help us by baking biscuits and cakes for the men. Cigars are plen-
tiful, too, and for a time the pipe is discarded and we revel in some
of the best the town affords.

It was here that we lost the last man killed in our Regiment,
Corp. Geo. J. French. He was on picket at the time, and was shot
by a bushwhacker, dying shortly after being brought to camp.
His gentlemanly manners had endeared him to all, and the loss
was felt deeply. Before he died he sent this message: "Tell
mother and sisters that I die like a brave man and my comrades
carried me from the field."

So far on this campaign our loss has been very light, only fifteen
men.

Major Wagner's battalion, the first, started at 3 o'clock in the
morning, and shortly after daylight went into a large rebel camp,
but they, hearing of his approach, had just left. Continued on to
the Catawba River, and after driving off a small party guarding a
bridge, burned it. Next they destroyed a splendid railroad bridge,
over the same river. On the following day details from the bat-
talion were sent in all directions, hunting up the enemy, but they
had all fled from the vicinity. Our troops were the first Federals
the citizens had seen, and it seemed comical to us to witness the
fear they had of being killed or robbed by us. Major Wagner
was at the Vesuvius Iron Furnace, paroling men from Lee's
army, and George Neil, of Company D, started up the furnace to
see how it worked." The battalion rejoined the Regiment in Lin-
colnton on the 20th.

April ipth. — A good many prisoners and disbanded men were
brought in and paroled. We were visited by three Confederate
officers under a flag of truce, bearing despatches from General
Sherman announcing that an "armistice" between his forces and
those of General Johnston, which was subsequently disallowed by
Secretary Stanton. They also brought us an order from General
Sherman to join his command, but before we could get started
orders came from our commander. General Geo. H. Thomas,
ordering us to return to Tennessee. One of the flag of truce es-
cort was Colonel Prentice, son of the editor of the Louisville Jour-
nal. He said : "There will be no further need for my services

Our Last Campaign and Pursuit of Jeff Davis. 507

in this war. but in case of a foreign one 1 am a United States
man."

We buried Corp. Geo. French to-day with mihtary honors, in
the Episcopal graveyard, and several of the ladies in the town
contributed wreaths of flowers to place on his coffin. It is
pleasant to record this of them, and also of the change in their
feelings toward us in twenty-four hours. They say v^-e are not
destructive and are so gentlemanly, and wish their own soldiers
were more like us.

Lincolnton was a pleasant place to be in, and we lingered here
until the 24th, which was a long rest for us, in the meantime cap-
turing and paroling over 800 Confederates. Our General had
strong hopes that we would join Sherman, and possibly such
would have been the case had not General Gillem, who was oflt
some distance with his brigade of Tennesseeans, sent for General
Palmer to join him, when threatened by a rebel force.

These Tennesseeans in their present condition do not add any
strength to the Union forces. In the beginning and during most
of the war they had suffered terrible cruelties at the hands of the
rebels. They had been hunted and shot down as unworthy of any
humanity being shown them. Their homes were burned and their
families driven away, and all because they were loyal to the flag ,
but now that the tables were turned and disloyal families were at
their mercy, they repaid what they had suffered by an indis-
criminate pillage. The result was a demoralized command, out of
which little military duty could be had, and their General knew
they were in no condition to fight an organized force, no matter
how small.

It was while here that we heard the rumor of the assassination
of President Lincoln. The three Confederate officers, one of
whom was the son of Geo. H. Prentice, of the Louisville Journal,
had heard the report in their camps before they left. Its truth-
fulness was doubted, but on being confirmed, it is safe to say that
if any citizen of Lincolnton had expressed himself in sympathy
with the assassin, it might have resulted in the destruction of the
town and many of its inhabitants.

April 24th. — Marched thirty-five miles to-day toward Ruther-
fordton, crossing the South Catawba and First Broad rivers.

April 2jth. — Entered Rutherfordton about 9 a.m. It is a very

5o8 History of the Fifteenth Pciiiisyhaiiia Caralry.

ordinary town, and the two days' stay of the Tennesseeans did
it no good. They stole everything they could carry off, put pistols
to the heads of the citizens, persuaded them to give up their
pocketbooks, and even took the rings from ladies' fingers. The
sympathy we used to feel for the loyal Tennesseeans is being
rapidly transferred to their enemy.

April 26th. — Left at 2.30 p.m., but only marched ten miles, when
we made camp. The next day we marched sixteen miles, to the
top of Blue Ridge, on our way back to East Tennessee, whither we
were ordered. Our m.arch to-day was through the grandest scen-
ery we have looked on during our term of service. We went up
through Hickory Xut Gap in the mountain, along the Broad
River, up to its source. Towering above us, almost to the clouds,
were the precipitous crags of Hickory Mountain, and at High
Falls the water drops 380 feet from the summit. It was so im-
posing that the usual chat of the riders was hushed, as they gazed
with awe on the sight. As we rode along we plucked the fragrant
magnolia from the forest trees, and the wish of all was to stav
longer with it, but that could not be done, and we went on up to
the top, where plenty of forage was found. Our camp was at
the entrance of the present "Biltmore" grounds, near Asheville,
North Carolina.

April 28th. — This morning other orders were received from
General Thomas by courier from Nashville, bearing a despatch
from the Secretary of War, Stanton, saying that the Sherman
"armistice" was disallowed and that we were to return and con-
tinue the war, "living on the country" and "pursue Jeff. Davis to
the ends of the earth, if necessary, and never give him up."
General Palmer was to take command of the whole division
and get in Gen. Joe. Johnston's rear, destroy his communica-
tion and supplies, and do him all the damage possible. It was
some disappointment to the men. The greatest desire was to
get letters from home, but to offset that, Stoneman was gone, and
Gillem, who had asked for and received a leave of absence, had
gone too, and our Colonel, as Brevet Brigadier General, com-
manded the whole division. So we marched down the mountain
again and enjoyed the scenery once more, and took up our quarters
again in Rutherfordton, where the citizens furnished us horses
and corn. They did not do so willingly. They supposed we

Our Last Campaign and Pursuit of Jeff Davis. 509

had left them for good, and at once began bringing both in town
from the places where they had been concealed, and we got back
just in time for them.

April 2pth. — The orders were to concentrate all the division at
Yorkville, S. C, and to prepare for fighting again, so we marched
twenty-three miles in that direction. At the same time we received
a large package of posters, which as we marched along were dis-
played on trees and at all prominent places. They read :

"$100,000
"REWARD IN GOLD.

"Headquarters Cavalry Corps, ^Iil. Div. Mississippi.
"]\Iacox, Ga., April 28, 1865.

"One hundred thousand dollars" reward will be paid to anv per-
son or persons who will apprehend and deliver Jefferson Davis to
any of the military authorities of the United States. Several
million dollars of specie reported to be with him will become the
propertv of the captors.

"J. H. Wilson,

"Major General."

The news we have of Davis is that he has an escort of four
brigades of cavalry, under Basil Duke, Ferguson, Dibbrell, and
one made up of scattered detachments, none of which had been
included in the surrender to Shemian. With these was a small
wagon train, said to be loaded with specie, which the Confederates
estimated at $10,000,000. They were marching from Yorkville,
S. C, toward Abbeville, with the avowed intention of crossing the
]\Iississippi and keeping up the rebellion in that section. But
the cause was on its last legs now, and desertions were numerous.
The Federal forces were close to Davis, and he saw the futility
of trying to make his escape, encumbered with troops who were
only half-hearted in his cause, so he disbanded all but 500 men,
under Breckenridge, and with these continued his efforts to escape.
This force he found too cumbersome to escape the notice of his
pursuers, and on his arrival at Washington, Ga., they also were
discharged, after each one was paid $35 in gold.

Colored men would visit our camp at night, and tell us they
heard an offfcer tell their master that ^Nlr. Davis was in camp a
few miles off, at a certain place, but when a detachment of our

5IO History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

men was sent there nothing was found. This and similar in-
cidents were of daily occurrence. The white people seemed
to be doing all they could to throw us off Davis' trail and
impart false information to their slaves, knowing the latter would
lose no time in bringing it to us.

April ^oth. — Started on our march at 5 a.m., and crossing
Broad River at Island Ford, and the South Carolina boundary
line at 9 a.m. reached the pretty town of Spartanburg at night.
This was the first State that moved to go out of the Union, and
just now none of them is more willing to come back. One of the
most prominent citizens of Spartanburg, a Mr. Shivers, made a
speech on our entrance into town, asking us to respect private
property. In conversation afterward with our Hospital Steward,
Chas. P. Sellers, he said: "I was as bad a secessionist as there
was in the country. We are badly whipped and very willing to
return to our former allegiance, and my feelings are an index to
those of most all." The people were surprised to find us in this
part of the Confederacy. We found plenty of rations here. This
is the oldest town in the State, the center of wealth, and has many
fine residences.

It is a positive pleasure for the men to take up their old civic
pursuits once more. Probably it is done to see if what was once
learned has been forgotten. Company G was placed in the town,
and Serg. Jos. R. Lonabaugh was in charge of the guard. Origi-
nally a printer, he naturally took up his quarters in the office of the
Carolina Spartan^ to the expressed disgust of its editor, Mr. Trim-
mier. Lonabaugh told him that he was a printer, and to prove it
took a "stick" and turning to a case of type set up the following
extra :

"Spartanburg, S. C, April 30, 1865.

"This evening, about 5 o'clock. Brevet Brigadier-General Wm.
J. Palmer arrived in town with his brigade of Yankee cavalry.
Much to the relief of the citizens, no private property was dis-
turbed, strict orders having been given to prevent it. It is to be
hoped that their conduct may meet the approval of our citizens,
and that they may learn to know the Yankees and not find them
such devils as they were led to imagine they were.

"Philadelphia."

This was published the next day, and brought Lonabaugh an in-
vitation to take supper with i\'Ir. Trimmier. A few days later our

Our Last Campaign and Pursuit of Jeff Davis. 511

Sergeant had another opportunity at Athens, Ga., and worked all
night to get out an edition of the Southern Watchman.

May 1st. — Made a long march to-day to Raiborn Creek, and on
the way pressed about 100 mules into our service. We are about
twenty-four hours behind "Jeff," who we hear has several thou-
sand cavalry with him as a guard. Our first battalion was sent by
way of Lawrenceville, and the whole command went into camp at
Abbeville, S. C.

May 2d. — Early in the morning a detail was sent out to pick
up horses, and as they reached the only bridge over the Saluda
River they found it burning. They picked up two Confederates,
and brought them to camp. Adj. J. C. ReifT, on questioning one
of them, who had belonged to Dibbrell's cavalry, learned that JefT
Davis and his party were only a few miles ahead with a mixed
group of wagons, Generals, officers and their staffs and his Cabinet.
The prisoner stated that Jeff had with him a force of cavalry as an
escort. He told, too, of the large amount of specie, which they
estimated at $10,000,000, he was carrying along in the wagons.

Seated on a log, Colonel Betts held a council with the seven or
eight officers with him, and with the exception of Reiff they were
for pressing after Jeff Davis and his party, insisting that with our
organized force we could defeat all the disorganized escort which
Davis had. Reiff maintained that our efforts were to capture Jell,
and not merely to whip his men ; that if a fight should take place
the result would be a number killed and wounded, and in the
confusion the man we most wanted to take prisoner would escape.
Colonel Betts concluded to be governed by Reiff's reasons and
at once hunt up General Palmer and report the situation to him.
It was said that Davis and most of his Generals were headed for the
rebel armies across the Mississippi, and the policy on our part
should be to hasten across the Savannah River, head him off and
force his surrender. Just then Corp. J. P. Fullerton, with ten men,
arrived from General Palmer with orders to march to Anderson
Court House, and by a forced march we reached that place at 2
o'clock in the morning, where we met Lieut. Anthony Taylor with
further orders. After a few hours' rest the march was continued,
and we met General Palmer, who with some of his command was
making for the crossings of the Savannah River.

The wealthv men of Charleston, in order to save their fine old

512 History of the Fifteenth Peiiitsylz'aiiia Cavalry.

Madeira and port wine from being used by the Yankees when
they captured that city, and sent it to Anderson Court House for
safekeeping, and we got it all. Nearly all our men had a canteen
full, and barrels of it were emptied in the gutters of the streets by
standing orders from General Stoneham, who was fearful of its
demoralizing effects on his troops. When General Gillem's divi-
sion reached North Carolina, a short time ago, they ran across a
distillery, from which they took enough apple wdiiskey to intoxi-
cate the whole force, and Stoneham wanted no more of it.

May jd. — Started at 8 a.m. ; crossed the Savannah River, and
got into the State of Georgia. Continued marching until 2 a.m.
The column was continually fired on by bushwhackers, but
no one was hurt. We learned to-day that the greater part of
the Confederates had reached the Savannah, near Petersburg,
and had there disbanded, but a small force with Davis and his
Cabinet were reported to be at Washington, Ga., about 18 miles
away, and to find the correctness of the report General Palmer
sent the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry there to investigate. The
Colonel of that Regiment started, and when nearing the place was
met by a flag of truce, under Colonel Breckenridge, who asked
time to consider whether or not to surrender. Instead of forcing
the issue, the Colonel stopped and sent back to General Palmer
for instructions. Breckenridge having. stopped the Tennesseeans,
Davis and his party went again on their wanderings, and after
much tribulation fell into the hands of the Fourth Michigan, of
General Wilson's command. The rebel President had only nar-
rowly escaped the clutches of the Thirteenth Tennessee, of General
Palmer's command, through a lack of enterprise on the part of the
Tennessee Colonel.

May 4th. — At daylight on the march again, going through
Danielsville, and reaching Athens at noon. This is another beauti-
ful town ; the fine weather, roses in full bloom, and the air filled
with their fragrance make a happy resting place. In this place 500
rebels w-ere encamped, but not a shot was fired at us, which seemed
strange. Plenty of rebel Generals were there, and all mingled
vv'ith us with the greatest freedom. There is nothing exultant
about our men. The people treat us kindly and appreciate the
treatment we accord to them. Howell Cobb lives here, and is at
home. We have opened communications w'ith General Wilson,

Our Last Ca)iipaigii and Pursuit of Jeff Dazns. 513

whose forces are coming in from the West, and between us expect
to bag Jefif Davis. The trains are running between Augusta and
Atlanta — Federals and Confederates traveling together. In this
town yesterday Confederate money had some value, but to-day it
has none. In the town barber shop, which was well patronized, a
Confederate officer oiTered a twenty-dollar Confederate bill for a
shave, and the barber refused it, on which the officer twisted the
note into shape, lit his pipe with it and stalked out of the shop.

May ^th and 6th. — Nominally the Regiment remained here, but
small parties were out thirty miles in search of Jefif. Most all the
rebels we mingle with are glad the war is over and that they are
going home. A very few don't feel that way. John H. Metzler,
of Company K, talking to one on this subject, was informed "that
he (the rebel) would rather soldier all the days of his life than go
behind the plough again."

The following Sunday Metzler was on picket, under Sergeant
Izett, of Company K. Coming up the road through the pines was a
colored girl, crying most distressingly. She was well dressed and
bright looking. Following close behind was a young rebel officer,
mounted, with his revolver drawn. The Sergeant halted him and
demanded an explanation. The young rebel said he was driving
his remaining slave girl back, and claimed he had a right to do so,
as he was a paroled ofificer. Izett had no particular use for
negroes. He was a war Democrat, an excellent citizen and a good
church member, but he gave the rebel a scathing lecture, such as
he never had before. He was sorely tempted to shoot the rebel,
and the fear of the church did not prevent him from using the
"cuss" words that the ungodly use, and "he set the captive free. '

May yth. — One of General Wilson's scouts reported Davis to
have been twenty-five miles south at 3 a.m. He had been in
Davis' company as a Confederate soldier, going home, but left as
soon as he could and reported to us. Marched at 6 a.m., by way
of Georgia Factory, to Watkinsville, where Major Garner was de-
tached with his battalion to pursue General Bragg, who is re-
ported in the vicinity of Fair Play. The balance of the command
marched to Willis Ferry on the Appalachee river, on the way cap-
turing seven wagons of the old Conestoga type, drawn by twenty-
three large French Norman horses. In these wagons were four
iron-bound kegs containing $188,500 in gold; several large "W"

33

514 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

dry-goods boxes in which was $4,265,500 in Confederate money.
There was also $645,000 in bonds and securities of several South-
ern States ; $480,000 in bonds and securities of the Central Rail-
road and Banking Company of Georgia, and $460,500 in notes,
bonds, etc., of the bank of Macon. In addition there was $68,-
000 in specie, and three boxes of silver plate and other valuables
belonging to private parties. In all, there was, perhaps, about
$2,000,000 worth of valuables, besides the large amount of Con-
federate money. This property had been hastily loaded on wagons
by the officers of the Bank of Macon and other citizens of Macon
and vicinity, in order to secure it against capture by the cavalry
forces of General Wilson, who was scouring the country to the
south. In their efforts to avoid Wilson they fell into our hands
and, as the future proved, they had no cause to regret their cap-
ture by us. Colonel Betts at once placed Sergeant E. W. Wood and
eight men on guard over the wagons, sending the whole train
to the headquarters of General Palmer at Athens, who, after hav-
ing a careful inventory taken of the valuables captured, sent them
to Augusta, Ga., where they were turned over to General Upton
in charge of the Union forces there. Captain McAllister, A.A.G.,
of General Palmer's staff, with a small guard, accompanied the
treasure. As the country was filled with the enemy, most of whom
were still in arms, it was deemed advisable to secure a pass to
Augusta from the Confederate General Reynolds, who was a
prisoner in our hands at the time, in addition to the proper author-
ity from our commanding General. The party took a train which
was crowded with Confederate officers and soldiers who regarded
them with great interest, but did not in any way molest them.

After the war General Palmer was informed by John Edgar
Thomson, who had been in charge of the Georgia Railroad before
he became Chief Engineer of the Pennsylvania Railroad, that all
the captured money and other property had been returned to the
owners without the loss of a dollar.

Scouting parties were out in all directions, but nothing definite
was learned until a dispatch was received from Major Garner
saying that Davis and General Bragg had passed through Fair
Play at 3 a.m. The command immediately started for that place
at 3.30 P.M. and arrived at 10 p.m. We crossed the Appalachee
River at Furlowe Bridge, from which place Captain Colton was

Our Last Campaign and Pursuit of Jeff Davis. 515

sent to Madison to obtain information. After waiting- at Fair
Play for the return of this party we started again at i a.m., and
marched until 6 a.m., when we halted near Covington to feed.

May pth. — Major Garner's battalion was guarding the fords
and ferries on Ocmulgee River. Scouting parties were out in all
directions, and information from one of those, from the Twelfth
Ohio, said they were chasing the Davis party, but it turned out
to be General Wheeler and his staff, who were captured and
brought to Colonel Betts, who had his headquarters at the house
of a Mr. Strong.

When the news of his capture spread around our camp many of
the boys strolled over to get a look at the man whose command we
had been fighting ever since we joined the Army of the Cumber-
land, and who had on two occasions burned our wagons. But he
and his party were treated with all the courtesy due to prisoners.
No words of derision were uttered that could reach his ears. He
was not communicative, but a sullen expression marked his coun-
tenance; dejection was in his looks; fatigue and want of sleep and
rest had nearly worn him out. He would like to have stayed that
night with his friend, Mr. Strong, but Colonel Betts could not
gratify that desire, as our orders were to move, and Betts was of
that kind of a soldier who always obeyed orders, so he mounted
and went. Wheeler rode a little spotted horse, apparently an
Indian pony. Gradually we learned that it was one captured from
General Kilpatrick, of Sherman's command, and later on it was
sent to its rightful owner. General Wheeler was sent under guard
to General Palmer at Athens.

May loth. — Lieutenant Philips, commanding a party, captured
General Bragg below Concord and west of Monticello, together
with his wife, staff officer, three wagons and one ambulance. He
stated that he was on his way to General Wilson's headquarters,
to be paroled. Philips sent him with a Sergeant and ten men to
report to General Wilson. At 9 p.m. orders came to push on, as
all trace of Davis' trail had been lost, and the Regiment moved
to Rock Bridge, where we arrived and fed at 6 a.m., having
marched twenty-six miles.

General Bragg's wife was not altogether amiable. She scolded
our men and applied all sorts of epithets to them, but the principal
burden of her song was the disgrace of having been captured by a

5i6 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Philadelphia fireman. We were close to Jeff Davis here. Ser-
geant Levi Sheffler secured a note in a house, directing them to
prepare supper for Jefferson Davis and party, and General Bragg
and his party were simply the advance guard to see that the way
was clear. In his book, since published, he speaks of being headed
off at this place and having to go farther south.

May nth. — Soon after starting we received orders to proceed
to Decatur, and thence to cross the Chattahoochee, and guard all
the fords between Sandtown and Suwanee and westward to At-
lanta. Moved to the latter place, where we drew four days' rations
for the men and two days' forage, the first supplies we have drawn
from the Government since leaving East Tennessee. There was a
bustle in camp when the ration wagons came out to give us a
supply. The last of Uncle Sam's provisions we had was six weeks
before, in East Tennessee, and since then we had been living off the
country, and had the "fat of the land," but were tired of it. Three
hearty cheers from the boys greeted the hard-tack, coffee, sugar
and flitch, on which we regaled ourselves, and nothing ever tasted
sweeter to us than these rations which we had once despised.

May I2th. — Started at daylight, but before we got our positions
to guard the fords orders were received to move the Regiment
to Asheville, west of the Coosa River, and from that point, in con-
nection with the rest of our brigade, guard all the intersecting
and Crossroads from Croxville and Wills Valley south to Wilson-
ville, on the Talladega Railroad, and to intercept all parties bound
for the trans-Mississippi department. The Regiment crossed the
river at Campbellton by a small ferry, and encamped on the west
bank.

May ijth. — Our march this day was through a very barren
country, entirely stripped by our army in the Atlanta campaign.
The citizens had to haul corn for a distance of lOO miles, in many
instances. Marched thirty-six miles until 9 p.m.^ and then turned
our horses into a large field to graze and rest, as it was impossible
to find anything for them.

May 14th. — Moved forward at daylight, and by sending small
parties to different farmhouses, over a distance of twelve miles,
we got our horses fed. Marched twenty-eight miles through
Possum Snout and across the Tallapoosa River, and went into
camp at 6 p.m. The ford was a deep one and the bottom rocky.

Our Last Campaign and Pursuit of Jeff Dains. 517

From necessity some of the men were mounted on mules, which
are not as safe as a horse to ride in such cases. Lieutenant Morton
seeing E. H. Engel, of his company, so mounted, told him to ride
by his side and he would protect him, as his horse was sure, but
in the middle of the river Morton's horse stumbled and fell and
took Engel's mule with him, so that both riders had to wade ashore
in water nearly up to their necks. Little incidents like these gave
great enjoyment to those whose horses got over safely, and the
bath the two got was needed sadly by all in the Regiment. Our
rapid and lengthy m.arches were very hard on our horses, but we
captured sufficient from citizens to keep generally well mounted.
In most cases this was only a forced trade of our wearied animals
for fresh ones, and in many cases after ours had been rested up
they proved better than the ones we had taken. Not a half
dozen of the men returned with the same horses they started
with, and some of the men used up twenty horses on the cam-
paign.

May i^tli. — Started at 6 a.m. ; crossed Dugdown and Terrapin
Mountains, through Shoal Creek P. O., White Plains to Jackson-
ville, where we camped at 7.30 p.m. A courier from the Tenth
Michigan, marching parallel and south of us, brought word that
Jeff Davis had been captured at Irwinville by the Fourth Michi-
gan Cavalrv. This news caused great cheering by the men of each
company as the word was passed down our line of march. It was
mortifying to lose our prey after all our hard marches and sleep-
less nights and our only consolation was that we made his capture
easy for others to accomplish. It was as Gen. Geo. H. Thomas re-
marked to his staff at that time "General Wilson held the bag and
Palmer drove the game into it." At Jacksonville, Captain Scheide
with his Company K was detailed to communicate with General
Wilson's forces at Montgomery, Ala.

May 1 6th. — The Regiment started at 6.30 a.m., but Major Gar-
ner and four men were left to parole some Confederates and to
intercept any dispatches which might arrive. Some of the enemy
entered the town, captured the Major, and would have killed him
but for the protests of some citizens and the sudden appearance
of the four men, who at once opened fire and drove the rebels ofif.
About the same time two men, of Company L, riding in the rear
of the column, were captured by some of Wheeler's men, who

5i8 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

stripped them of their arms, horses and any personal property they
wanted and then let them go. Colonel Betts, fearing for Major
Garner and his party, sent a detail back for his protection, which
arrived at Jacksonville just as the Major's own guard were driv-
ing the rebels off. The command crossed the Coosa River at Ten
Island Ford, from which place the first and third battalions were
sent south to guard the roads above and below Broken Arrow.
The second battalion moved to Greensport and encamped.

May i/th. — The Regiment was broken up into small detach-
ments and stationed at different points, from Blairsville south
for twenty-five miles, with orders to arrest all fugitive parties not
paroled, and also those whose paroles were irregularly made out.
A good many of these irregular paroles were those we had given
to the returned Confederates in Lincolnton, N. C. At that place
one of the largest rooms in the court-house was used for this pur-
pose, and one of the companies of the Fifteenth was detailed to
make put the papers and administer the oath of allegiance. It ought
to have been a solemn affair, but instead it was amusing and jolly.
When told to "kiss the book" the smack was given with a gusto,
and one enthusiastic rebel said "he was so glad that if necessary
he would eat the book." Instead of attending to each one sepa-
rately, which was slow, they paroled them in squads. The rebels
said the politicians had fooled them into going to war, but would
not acknowledge being whipped, only overwhelmed. Between
jokes, handshaking, speeches and cheers many of the paroles were
not made out correctly, and later on the process had to be gone
over again. The headquarters of the Regiment were at Ashville,
Ala.

May ipth. — Forage being scarce, the whole command moved
west across to Murphrees Valley, twelve miles, and took up a new
line, parallel to the former one. Colonel Betts' quarters were at
Colonel Staton's plantation, who was known in this region as a
Union man.

May 22d. — In obedience to the orders received to move to
Guntersville, Wagner and Kramer marched with their battalions
by way of Brooksville and Big Spring, and Major Garner's by way
of Campbell's store, the whole command reaching Guntersville on
the 23d, where the boys were made happy by receiving the first
mail after a two months' absence.

Our Last Campaign and Pursuit of Jeff Davis. 519

May 24th.- — Crossed the Tennessee River and marched for
Huntsville, forty-two miles distant, where we arrived the next
day, and encamped in a beautiful grove, one mile from town, on
the Meridianville road. Since we left this place on March 5th the
Regiment has participated in the longest raid made by any of our
forces during the war, having marched about 2000 miles.

June loth. — Major Wagner's battalion took the cars for Nash-
ville, and the balance of the Regiment followed the next day,
arriving on the morning of the 12th, and making camp about two
miles from the city, on the Murfreesboro pike. By the 21st the
muster-out rolls were completed, and the command was mustered
out of service by Major Hough, excepting 162 recruits, who were
retained for duty at Department Headquarters, under Capt. Jas. H.
Lloyd, First Lieut. W. W. Borst and Second Lieut. Eben Allison.
This company, known as A, was soon after mustered out of ser-
vice by order of the War Department. In addition to the above
the Regiment numbered 627 men when mustered out.

WITH GILLEM'S TENNESSEEANS ON THE YADKIN.

HOWARD A. BUZBY^ COMPANY E, GERMANTOWN^ PHILADELPHIA.

THE order was to report "light," turning all else into the com-
pany; so I went hustling around, had new straps put on
my Texan spurs, gave "Camelback" an extra rub, sleeked
out his mane and tail and cleaned up my boots. My messmate
Lewis had received a commission in another regiment and was
gone, but the whole company helped to spruce me up, and I take
this opportunity to thank Chalmers, our saddler, for his many
acts of kindness. Among the rest he made a leather arrangement
for me to carry my grub, which is now hanging up in my room
over the head of my bed. Finally the fixing was over, and bidding
the partners of my toil good-bye, I went on my way to report to
General Palmer, humming the tune of "Oh, Dear, What Can the
Matter Be?" I had often been away from the company on this
same kind of duty, but this was to be permanent. Arriving at our
leader's headquarters I soon found out all about it. Six men, from
different companies, had been selected as an escort to the General,
to be used as the reader will soon learn. Sergeant Agnew was our
head, and as he was one of the handsomest men in the Regiment,
as well as one of the bravest, we were satisfied.

We are now mounting for the start. The General is in the
saddle. His command consists of our own Regiment, the Fif-
teenth, the Tenth Michigan and the Twelfth Ohio. Our work
begins at once. One goes to the Fifteenth with orders, another
to the Tenth Michigan, another to the Twelfth Ohio and another
to General Stoneman. So you can easily see we were beginning
to know all about it. As we were not at liberty to tell what we
knew then, I am going to take that liberty now. The Fifteenth,
with General Palmer, takes the advance, followed by the Tenth
Michigan and the Twelfth Ohio, Stoneman and Gillem with other
troops bringing up the rear. We have, all told, some 1500 or
1800 men, and General Gillem about 4000 or 5000 — Stoneman, a
520

IVifh Gillcni's Tciuicssecans on the Yadkin. 521

Major General, commanding the whole — and in this order we took
the road over the Blue Ridge into North Carolina. General Pal-
mer had sent back the wagons of the Fifteenth before this, and he
new dropped the wagons of his entire brigade. We had a mule to
each company to carry horseshoes, and that was all.

We are far up on the Ridge, and when darkness begins to cover
the land one of our fellows is sent back with orders for the troops
to build fires alongside the road, which is steep and narrow.
Another one is sent back to see how General Stoneman is coming
on, with our General's compliments, etc. The writer was this one.
The job, however, was not an enviable one. The fires were light-
ing everything around about, and the troopers looked like mounted
specters, moving silently along. On the one side were the troopers,
taking up nearly the whole road ; on the other was the dark ravine
below, with the tree tops coming up nearly on a level with the
road. On a steady hand and a sure-footed horse depended your
safety. The whole scene was one never to be forgotten.

My get-up was the same as a Fifteenth man, and for some
reason the Tennessee troops called us dragoons. I think it was
because we wore the orange colors of the dragoons and had been
drilled by the dragoons of the regular army before taking tlie
field. Time and again a trooper would shout out, "Where are
the dragoons?" and the answer would come back, "The dragoons
are leading." Then they would pass the word along the line,
"The dragoons are ahead," which seemed perfectly satisfactory,
as they knew they would clear the road if possible, as they had
done many times before.

But here come Generals Stoneman and Gillem with their troops.
I turn and ride beside Stoneman. "General Palmer sends his
compliments, etc." Stoneman has no orders, only "not to get too
far ahead." I am now going with the tide, and making better
time than on the down trip. "Camelback" and I are forging
ahead, and arrive at the head of the column, which has gone into
camp. I reported Stoneman's order not to get too far ahead, and
was soon asleep on my blanket.

Time and tide wait for no man, and morning came before I was
ready for it. But Agnew was a just one, and he used the others,
leaving me to rest as long as possible. But we are all soon in the
saddle and on the road, leaving the Blue Ridge behind us. The

522 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Tenth Michigan is ahead, the Fifteenth closely following and
the Twelfth Ohio in the rear of our brigade. The rain begins to
come down in torrents. I had ridden behind Palmer many
hundred miles, and knew when his heel would go in toward his
horse's side, but not touch it, that he was in deep thought, and
wanted to hurry more than he could to make some point. Both
heels were going now, and even my own were, but why I did
not know. We are now passing through quite a village, and at
last come to a wide river (the Yadkin), which is running wild,
and which we soon find out we are about to cross, as those at the
front are already entering.

I am ordered to remain on this side until all our troops have
crossed, to note the place where they came out, and when General
Stoneman comes up to show him where we entered and where we
came out on the other side. The streams rise very suddenly in
this section of the country — caused by the water from the moun-
tains, in times of heavy rains, and it was doing its best in that
way now. I had nothing to do but to sit on my horse and look
into the faces of the troopers and watch the horses as they went
down into the river. Some never reached the other side. One
out of our Regiment, and how many more I do not know, was
drowned. It was a fearful sight. Almost any horse can swim, but
you must let him have his head, ease up off the saddle and swim
a little yourself.

A large house, with a piazza in front, was on the right of where
we came out, and as I could see men moving about on it, I took
it for granted that General Palmer had taken that house for his
headquarters, and with his field glasses was looking for the head
of Stoneman's command. As the rain was coming down in tor-
rents and my horse was very restless, and not wishing to be left,
I rode back to the village we had passed through. A blacksmith
shop, with a shed in front, seemed to afiford a good shelter, and so
I rode under the shed and dismounted. The houses seemed de-
serted, but I could see children peeping with frightened looks out
of the windows. All was quiet with the exception of the down-
pour of rain. Maybe those children are now telling their
children how the Yankees went through the town ; how first, when
they were not thinking about it, a whole lot came — and they
thought they would never stop coming — in the pouring rain, went

With Gillem's Tcnncssccans on the Yadkin. 523

quietly along and down to the river and crossed ; and how, after
a while, a Yankee came tearing back and went under the shed of
the blacksmith shop, got off his horse, shook out his gum talma
and tried to get the door open. They thought, perhaps, he came
back to get his horse shod, but mother said he was a vedette and to
be careful, for these Yankees would kill anything they saw. Then
he sat on a log, took off his boots and emptied the water out of
them. His horse seemed like a pet, and went smelling about the
shed as if he wanted to see everything. Every once in a while the
Yankee would get up and look down the road, and at last jumped
on his horse and rode out in the road. That is what those chil-
dren, who are now grown men and women, could tell their chil-
dren, for that was about the way it was.

Generals Stoneman and Gillem, at the head of their troops, are
coming, and after saluting, I told Stoneman I had been left and
why, and so down to the river we went. I saw at once that
the river had risen a foot or more and was running wild. "How
long has it been since they crossed?" Stoneman asked. "Easily
an hour and a half," I replied. Swearing does not look well in
print, nor sound well in talking, so what he said you will not know.
I would have tried had he let me, for I knew "Camelback" could
swim it, but he ordered one of his staff, on a fine, big strong horse,
to try it. He was hardly in, however, before his horse began to
flounder about. Stoneman swore at him to come out, that he
would drown the horse. It may seem strange to you, but some
cavalry officers would as soon lose a man as a horse. I thought
both man and horse would be drowned, but after some trouble
they got out. I also thought that Gillem's last day had come. In-
fact, I thought everybody around Stoneman would be killed. He
fairly roared like a lion, and in his roaring would say, "Palmer
on one side of the river with those Pennsylvania boys and me on
this side ! Gillem, I am going to see what you have." So we
drew back from the road and Gillem's troops passed in review
before us.

Of all the reviews that were ever seen this one beat them all.
The very heavens had opened their floodgates, and the water was
coming down in sheets, which accounted somewhat for the appear-
ance of the troops on the outside, and several whisky stills, which
had been struck back of the Ridge, accounted for their appearance

524 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

on all sides. The number of the "wounded" was starthng, and a
good many were "dead," for corn whisky is fearful stuff. With
the rain coming down in torrents and mud knee-deep, and the
stuff warm in the stills, our brave allies were driven to drink.
Stoneman blamed the officers for this, and was calling them down.
Palmer had a way of hypnotizing everything he looked at, and
everything about him in his command moved like clockwork.

All the carriages and omnibuses along the route had been con-
fiscated. There was a carriage of the George Washington kind,
filled with soldiers, their big boots sticking out in all directions.
Here was the stage coach, which in times of peace had run between
Rutherfordton and the Blue Ridge, filled to its full capacity,
with some on top. If my memory serves me right, this caravan of
carriages and buses reached a mile or more. All the different
kinds of carriages were there. General Stoneman was a powerfully
built man, standing six feet four, with a face that showed the
marks of long and hard service in the field. He would stop the
parade occasionally and make a general reduction of Captains and
Lieutenants. But when the "wounded" came along in the car-
riages he said something like this : "By — if — I — I'll you

— can it — where in — this — beats — they ought — to be — be
killed if I don't ."

A halt is ordered, and they are all tumbled out of the carriages,
and ordered to dump into camp wherever they choose, and to go
no farther. All this time Palmer was signalling on the other side
of the river with flags. Not understanding the code, I do not
know what those signals were. Stoneman's headquarters' wagon
came up and his tent was unloaded. The staff tried to pacify him.
but he was mad at them, and blamed them for the condition of
things.

I do not write this through egotism, but as his salvation was
with those on the other side of the river and as I was one of them,
his conversation was now addressed to me, and I was nowise
slow to talk. He seemed to think that if the enemy came down
on his side he was a goner. I told him that if they came down on
the other side General Palmer and the Fifteenth would clean them
out. I did not know as much about the Tenth Michigan and the
Twelfth Ohio as I found out afterward. Sufficient to say they
were the real thing, and feared no noise. The rain began to

IVith Gillcm's Toinessccaiis on the Yadkin. 525

slacken, the signaling seemed to be more encouraging, and Stone-
man began to grow more composed. As night was coming on we
began to put up his tent, he helping and superintending the work.
We became so sociable that I crawled in, and was soon asleep.
The morning opened fine, and everybody was in better humor.
The "wounded," after a good night's sleep, awoke quite refreshed.
Although treated with all kinds of respect, I was anxious to be
with my own "Camelback." I found a way to accomplish this,
and surprised General Palmer by standing before him in the early
morning, and telling him what I have told you — it was fresh, then.
Palmer rarely indulged in a good laugh, but did this time.

The General is in the saddle, and so are we all. The order has
gone forth to burn the bridges behind us, and if anybody should
ask us what we wanted, to tell them earth and water. Railroad
stock was still on paper, but nowhere else. The rolling stock and
the roadbeds were destroyed. As we went along the escort was
kept very busy, and would be away from Agnew and the General
three or four days at a time, riding with one of the other regiments
and unable to get back.

The troops were divided into squadrons and battalions, and were
scouring the country in every direction, and would only close up
when nearing some place that was fortified and garrisoned.

When Salisbury, N. C., was reached the General had the Fif-
teenth close behind him. The squadrons and battalions were
now with the Regiment. Agnew was called to the front.
He came back with an order for me to go forward and report to
the General. We had passed the Tenth Michigan some two or three
miles back, dismounted. The General ordered me back on the
road we came, to give his compliments to Colonel Trowbridge
and order the latter to bring his Regiment up at a trot.

I guess Colonel Trowbridge knew what to do when this order
came, it being understood by those high in authority how this
fort and place were to be taken. The order to mount was given,
and we were soon at a smart trot. In going up the road we passed
the place where I had left the General and the Fifteenth, but kept
on with the Tenth Michigan. We took a road to the left, and
soon came in full view of a fort, and a few shells came whistling
over our heads. The Regiment was ordered into line, the trot was
changed to a gallop, and before I hardly knew what was going on

526 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

"Camelback" and I were carried over the entrenchments mto the
fort.

''Camelback" was bad when excited, and persisted in tramping
on the toes of our illustrious Southern brethren after they had
surrendered. He was a Fifteenth horse, and wanted to show off
before the Tenth Michigan horses, and if I had not sawed him with
the curb bit he would have had me into the fort before I was
ready. Horses are very intelligent, but when excited, like men,
do not know what they are about.

I used to like to talk to our prisoners, who to a man blamed the
politicians for bringing on the war. I was astonished to hear this
from so many that I had met at different times, and told them so.
They asked me if we had any politicians in the North. I had not
been North for several years, and had to stop to think. I told
them we had some before the war. "Yes," they said, "then is
when we had them, and they blathered and called your people
doughfaces and cowardly Yankees, who would run if we said
boo to them." "I suppose these stirrers up of strife are all killed
now, as they would be first in war?" I ventured to say. "No,"
said they, "not one of them went, but sat secure in Richmond to
attend to the financial end of the affair. Did yours come out?"
I did not like to say they did not. I hesitated a moment, and then
said:

"They did, and were in the first battle of Bull Run. They could
not all be Generals, although they wanted to be anything but pri
vates. A battle is not much without privates, you know. They
went down in carriages. Your folks commenced with cavalry
and our folks will end with cavalry. Your cavalry got after those
carriages and other things, and they all came flying back to Wash-
ington, never stopping to take breath. Some never stopped until
they arrived way up North, where I live when at home, and told
their tale of woe, occasionally looking over their shoulders to see
if the Black Horse Cavalry was still coming. So our Government
decided to call out 300,000 more men and a regiment or two of
cavalry, and we are some of them."

They said the way we came over their breastworks "was a
terror." There are more flies caught with molasses than with
vinegar, so we gave them everything we had to eat, shook hands
with them all and told them they had fallen into good hands, as

With Gillems Tennesseeans on the Yadkin. 527

our General was not a political one, but a soldier built up regularly
from the foundation, and would send them all home to their
families, as we had hundreds before. After swearing them back
into the United States of America they were all glad to get back.

The command was again scattered and each company had a
S'tory of its own. The General kept the main road, while the
troops operated both to right and left. Neither army had invaded
this part of the country before. There were no marks of the
dreadful thing called war. We were not expected. We would
come suddenly into the cities and towns. The stores would be
open, and even the banks. We saw things that reminded us of the
past at times. The Tenth Michigan had just charged into the
place. I think it was Statesville. The banks and stores were open
to do business, and did more than they ever did before. The boys
of the Tenth Michigan were examining the bank. I do not know
what the assets were before the examination took place, but knew
that afterward they were "nothing."

Some of the "examiners" had nearly all their clothing torn off,
in their eagerness to get at the assets. One would try to get out
with a little bag of gold, but he would be downed, the bag would
be bursted, and then there would be a scramble, and he would be
glad to get out with whole bones, his fingers nearly tramped off
by heavy cavalry boots. This is but a sample of war. These men
had become warriors, and had forgotten all about home influences,
and were but doing that which has been done in every war. No
doubt some are now the pillars of the church. But I am sure they
are all sound money men. They were then, I know. They would
take silver, but preferred gold, the same as we all do. Some of
•the banks heard about our coming and ran their specie to the
woods, but a soldier's scent is something wonderful, and they had
no trouble in finding it.

Things were getting very warm at Richmond, and they con-
cluded to send their valuables farther south. Col. Charles M.
Betts with the Fifteenth came across the valuables, however, and
captured them. The amount was large, and he put a strong guard
over it, and brought it in. It was sent to Macon, Ga., and turned
over to our Government. A part of the Fifteenth, under Major
Wagner, drove the pickets into Lynchburg, and would have gone
right into Richmond if they had not been called off. They were

528 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

operating on the left of us, the Tenth Michigan on our right, the
Twelfth Ohio in our center.

To give an idea of how we traveled, say, for instance, we have
started from Valley Forge, Philadelphia being the place we were
aiming for. The Fifteenth would be on the York road, the
Twelfth Ohio on the Germantown road, the Tenth Michigan on
the Ridge road, and in that order would clean up everything be-
tween the two rivers. If one regiment was attacked and wanted
help, the nearest regiment would hurry to its assistance. The
orderly's duty was to carry orders from the General to the differ-
ent regiments. The opportunity to see the country was fine. The
roads were known to our General as well as if he had lived there
all his life. He had maps, and would hypnotize a colored man
or a man too old to be with our illustrious Southern brethren, so
his directions always carried us through. The guerrillas, how-
ever, bothered us a little. The escort was mounted on running
stock, and we lost only one of our number, one of our best men.

WITH THE FIRST BATTALION TO LYNCHBURG.

GEORGE NEIL, COMPANY D, MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA.

ON the fourth of April, 1865, the First battahon of the "Fif-
teenth," and details from the Second, in all about two hun-
dred and thirty men, under the command of Maj. Wm.
\\'agner, left the Regiment at Christiansburg, Va., on a rapid
march for the neighborhood of Lynchburg, to do what damage we
could to the Southern Confederacy by making a demonstration on
that place.

Just at this time General Grant had broken up the rebel lines
around Richmond and Petersburg and was pushing Lee's army to
that last ditch of which we had talked for four long years, and
which was found at Appomattox Court House, just twenty miles
east of Lynchburg. Our force, approaching from the opposite
direction, created some consternation and confusion in the rebel
lines, which was the main object intended. It had been rumored
throughout our army that it was to move up through East Ten-
nessee and Virginia, and attack General Lee from the rear, and,
no doubt, many of our enemy looked on our demonstration as the
beginning of that movement. Our commanding General had little
doubt of Wagner being able to reach the vicinity of Lynchburg,
but we had serious misgivings of his ability to join the Regiment
again, and his orders allowed him, after making his demonstra-
tion on the town, to go north in case he found the rebels had closed
up in his rear and prevented the return march.

It was after nightfall when we left the Regiment. As if to
hide our start, a heavy downpour of rain drenched us, but it
also hid our march from rebel sympathizers who would carry the
news of our approach, and the result was that the next day we
marched through a country which had never known the tread of
hostile forces, and so we were not expected. The good horses of
the farmers, instead of being run off and secreted, were kept in
their stables, where we found them, and traded our played-out

34 529

530 History of flic Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

ones, without the usual dickering, which goes along with a horse
trade.

Passing through Salem, Va., and nearing Big Lick, we learned
that a trainload of provisions was about leaving that point for
the rebel army and we tried to capture it, but the clatter of our
horses' hoofs as we charged through the town gave a warning to
the train crew and they started too soon for us to intercept them.
Horseflesh cannot equal the steam engine for strength and endur-
ance and, while we had some hope at first, the train gradually
pulled away from us and escaped. It was some consolation to
burn the railroad bridge over the Roanoke river and to feel that
our enemy would not use that track for some time to come. To
make up for our loss we captured at a small station, called Coners
Springs, an express car filled with tobacco and provisions, and,
after taking as much of these as we needed, gave the balance to
the negroes, who were always our friends and naturally gravitated
to us, and then burned the car.

We stopped one night at Beaufort. If anything was needed to
prove that we were in the enemy's country, the constant fire from
the bushwhackers did it. Always from such a long distance as to
be harmless, their fire was kept up and the ping of their bullets
added to the excitement, and served to drive away the monotony
of long and tiresome marches. While we were under fire all the
time, no particular attention was paid them, nor did they succeed
in hitting any of our men or of stopping the march of the column.
When we neared the town of Liberty, we were met on the road by
the Mayor and the Town Council, who, carrying a white flag to
show their peaceful errand, surrendered the place to us.

This was the fashionable and proper manner of surrendering
cities several centuries ago, but these formalities just now do not
make any particular impression on us except the humorous side of
them. Since we became soldiers, the habit has grown on us of
taking anything we wanted, and while there was nothing particu-
lar in the town of Liberty that we wished for, or was worth taking,
it stood on our line of march and we had to take it, and the osten-
tatious display of the white flag by the town officials made no
difference to us, while it probably made them feel the importance
of their civic position.

After leaving Liberty we reached the Big Otter River, which

JVith the First Battalion to Lynchburg. 531

was spanned by two high trestle railroad bridges. These were en-
closed and roofed over with pitch pine, being dry as tinder, were
in good condition to burn. All the fences in the neighborhood
were levied on and the rails piled inside the bridges. It was nine
o'clock in the evening when all was in readiness for the torch.
I'Yom this place the distance to Lynchburg was eighteen miles, and
Major Wagner, giving his men two hours rest, started for that
place at II p.m., first firing the two bridges. They burned rapidly,
and when the entire framework bursts into flames, the column
started on its march, burning also one other railroad bridge nearer
Lynchburg. Wagner endeavored to reach that place in the early
hours of the morning and, if he found the enemy unprepared, to
capture it. He had no definite idea as to what force he might en-
counter, and, although his orders called only for a "demonstra-
tion," it left him at liberty to capture the town, if he believed he
could do so. When about five miles from the place, the first of the
rebel pickets were met, and these were hastily driven back two
miles, capturing two of them. King, of Company D, was killed in
this first attack. The reserve picket was found to be in such force
that Wagner did not care to hazard an engagement, and after a
volley or two marched his command over to another road at a
point within three miles from Lynchburg and fed his horses and
men. The coolness of the Major in thus inviting an attack and
waiting for it, must have impressed the enemy that his force was
greater than it really was, for they made no effort to drive him
away. After a leisurely wait the battalion started back on another
road. The advance guard met a force of rebels, and in the action
which followed Corporal Wm. J. Currin, of Company B, was se-
verely wounded and had to be left at a house on the roadside.
That night the camp was made at Goose Creek.

At this time Major Wagner heard that the Yankee cavalry was
marching to Salisbury to release our prisoners there, and he deter-
mined to move south and rejoin the regiment if possible. The
bushwhackers were more annoying this day, and exhibited greater
boldness in their operations. Heretofore they had been satisfied
to take a long shot at the column which, while it may have pleased
them, did us no harm, but now they boldly rode up to within a
few hundred yards of the rear guard, fired a volley and then raced
ofl-. They kept this up for six or seven miles and were successful

532

History of the Fifteenth Pennsyk'ania Cavalry.

in shooting one horse. To stop this annoyance one company was
placed in ambush and waited till the enemy came along, and then
suddenly fired on them at close range, killing two and taking sev-
eral of their horses. This put a stop to their operations for that
day.

The next morning we left camp in a heavy rainstorm, crossed a
mountain, passed through Franklin Court House, and marched to
within seven miles of Henry Court House, where a halt was made
to feed. Major Wagner here learned that General Basil Duke,
with fifteen hundred men, was at the Court House waiting to op-
pose our further progress. The enemy had located our line of
march, and had also sent troops from Danville to head us ofif, and
had planted a battery so that it would sweep the road we must
take. To avoid all this calamity, Wagner took to the left across
the country, forded a river, and that night passed so close to the
rebel troops that strict orders were given to light no matches, nor
talk loud, and to hold the sabers to prevent them rattling. The
march was kept up all night and was a continuous one of twenty-
four hours.

The next day we crossed the mountains again into North Caro-
lina and about nightfall our advance guard ran into a detachment
of twenty rebels, and by a quick charge dispersed them and recap-
tured three men of the Eleventh ]Michigan the rebels had as pris-
oners.

Our march took us through Lewisville and Huntsville, and at
5 P.M., on April 12th, we crossed the Yadkin. Passing through
INlocksville during the night, the Regiment was reached at three
o'clock next morning, during a heavy rainstorm.

This camp was three miles from Salisbury, which had been cap-
tured that day. During the last three days and four nights the bat-
talion had marched two hundred and seven miles.

THE REGIMENT AT HILLSVILLE, VA.. IN APRIL, 1865.

SERG. JOHN W. ECKMAN, COMPANY B, PULASKI CITY, VA.

OUR Regiment entered Carroll County, Va., from North
Carolina on April i, 1865. We were then part of Stone-
man's command, and on our way, as it transpired later, to
destroy the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad west of Lynchburg.

Ours was the first organized body of Union soldiers seen in this
part of Virginia, and as we approached Hillsville, the county town
of Carroll County, there was much apprehension and alarm among
the citizens as to the treatment they might receive at our hands.
It was this feeling of uncertainty and fear that gives point to
this brief narrative, and, too, has cau?ed me much litigation and
provoking losses during the sixteen years that I have made m}'
home in southwest Virginia.

Old residenters assure me that Pennsylvania troops were the
first to enter their town, and that General Palmer was in com-
mand, but they also state that General Stoneman was with the
troops, and made his headquarters at the home of my old friend.
Jas. Wilkinson, which stands in the center of the town, next door
to the court-house.

An old well, with windlass, chain and bucket, still remains in
the center of the main street, immediately in front of the court-
house, just as it was in April, 1865. It was from this well that
Stoneman, Palmer and their staff officers obtained a refreshing-
supply of good cold water, and doubtless many of our boys filled
their canteens from the old bucket. The windlass, bucket and per-
haps the chain have been renewed since those days, but improved
m.ethods of drawing the water from the well do not find favor,
and their daddies' plans and ways of doing things are quite good
enough for the present residents of this old-fashioned town.

James Wilkinson, in 1865, was about thirty years of age, and
was a Captain and Quartermaster in the Confederate army. It was
his duty to stay home, and return to their command paroled men,
"leave-of-absence men" and men at home without leave, and also

533

534 History of the Fiftl^enth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

to buy and forward food and supplies of all kinds to Richmond for
■the use of the troops in the field.

He was at home when the news of the approach of our com-
m.and was brought to Hillsville, and tried to quiet the excited
people by advising them to remain at their homes, assuring them
that they would not be molested. He said that we would likely take
any serviceable horses, also provisions and food for use of men
and horses, and that these should be given as cheerfully as pos-
sible, for if we needed them they would be taken.

The proprietor of the old grist mill was told to stay at his mill,
which he did, kept his burrs busy grinding for our use during our
stay, and concluded the Yankee soldier was a real clever sort of
a man after all.

The Captain's advice was taken generally, but there was one
notable exception. A. M. Hale, clerk of the Circuit Court, in his
anxiety to preserve his court records, carried many of them
quickly from the clerk's room, and loaded them on a wagon, with
horse attached, that stood in front of the court-house door. In his
haste he carried out several deed books belonging to the County
Court records. In driving away he was seen by our Pennsyl-
vania troops, was quickly captured, and, as the story goes, his
wagon with contents was destroyed.

If any member of our Regiment can recall this incident and can
give any detailed account of the destruction of this wagon and
court records, he will receive a very patient and welcome hearing
if he will communicate with me.

With some friends and associates I became the purchaser of
large tracts of mineral lands in Carroll and the adjoining county
of Grayson in 1889, and the absence of these deed books has kept
my associates and myself in perpetual litigation, and there is
apparently "no end to it."

During the war a portion of these lands was worked and copper
mined for use of the Confederates, but aside from this the lands
purchased were not regarded as especially valuable. They were
assessed at a very low valuation per acre and no attention paid to
them — no disputes about title until we purchased, when innumer-
able claims to title were presented. Titles to these lands were
traced back to grants from the Commonwealth, and, of course,
there were numerous interlocks, and the missing deed books pre-

The Regiment at HiUsviUc, J 'a., in April, 1863. 535

vented us, quite too often, from preparing a clean brief of title,
and this confusion greatly encouraged claimants.

Counsel on both sides, but especially plaintiff's counsel, on every
excusable occasion, delighted to repeat the story that Eckman's
command of Pennsylvania troops in April, 1865, had destroyed the
court records and the deeds to his property. There has always
been a doubt in my mind as to vi^hether any part of our Regiment
actually did destroy the wagon with its court record contents. I
do not know what other troops, if any, accompanied us to Hills-
ville, nor can any of the then residents of Carroll County recall the
presence of any but Pennsylvania Cavalry on that second day of
April or during that particular raid. The people of Hillsville do
not condemn or censure our troops for destroying the wagon and
contents, but reflect upon the haste and bad judgment displayed
by the clerk in moving records from the court-house.

During one of my visits to Hillsville, Captain Wilkinson intro-
duced me to Mr. Burnett. In April, 1865, Burnett was a young
man. He was then, and is now a cripple, which fortunately kept
him out of the Confederate army. At the news of the approach
of a "sure enough" Yankee army and during the excitement and
uneasiness that prevailed in Hillsville, Burnett's actions are thus
told by Wilkinson. Getting his gun and mounting Judge Kyle's
gray mare, Burnett sallied forth to stop the cause of all this con-
fusion. He very soon and unexpectedly got close to the advance,
and wisely concluded to retrace his steps, but a shot from one of
the advance struck the mare and Burnett sought safety by crawl-
ing into a culvert, under the road. He was ordered forth, and
compelled to step lively by the side of a trooper, and thus led the
advance of the Yankees into the town.

Of course, I was presented to him as the Yankee soldier that
shot his mare, that brought him from the seclusion of the culvert,
and made him trot lively with us into the town.

It was this southwest end of the State of Virginia that supplied,
in large part, the iron, copper, lead and salt so much needed by
the Confederacy. It is surrounded on all sides by mountains, and
it was exceedingly difficult for our army to effect an entrance
except from the south, making these industrial operations com-
paratively safe from raiding parties.

A HIGH-PRICED MEAL.

A. D. FRANKENBERRY, COMPANY K, POINT MARION, PA.

DURING the war of 1861-65 the infantry constantly made
the charge that they never stole anything, as the cavalry
was always in the advance, and got all the good things,
and so nothing was left for the "doughboys" to steal.

But we are fully prepared to prove that the cavalry did not steal,
but most liberally paid for everything.

On the 3d day of April, 1865, we were with General Gillem's
headquarters at Hillsville, Va. The General's cavalry division
was composed of three brigades. The first brigade was made up
of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry, Twelfth Ohio Cavalry and Fif-
teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, all under command of Gen. Wm. J.
Palmer. The command was here divided ; Colonel Miller's brigade
was sent to Wyth'eville, Va., and Maj. Wm. Wagner with a por-
tion of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry was ordered to Big
Lick, and thence toward Lynchburg. We left Hillsville at 7 p.m.,
and on the morning of April 4th reached Jacksonville, Va., or
Floyd Court House, and were ordered to halt only to feed and get
breakfast.

My chum took our stock of provisions, consisting of a small
ham, some Yankee coffee, sugar and a few potatoes, into a house
to cook breakfast, while I took both horses into a nearby stable,
and passing through a garden I found a "tithe" corncrib, from
which I obtained food for our horses. In the garden I noticed a
small grave, freshly made, and, as I well knew no human body
was buried there, I quickly opened the grave, and found buried a
tin box, about six by six inches and about sixteen inches long.
Opening the box I found it contained the tax book and money
of the Confederate war-tax collector, a legitimate object of cap-
ture.

I "appropriated" all the Confederate funds I thought I needed,
rolling up the bills and bonds in a bundle, and, stuffing the bundle
into my boot leg, went into the house, where I found my comrade
536

A High-Priccd Meal. 537

busy talking to three women, the mother and two rather elderly
daughters. The women had nothing in the way of provisions
except corn meal — -not even a grain of salt. The meal was mixed
with water and baked, ham fried, potatoes boiled and coffee made.
All five sat down to eat breakfast. My comrade and myself were
blessed with grand appetites, but we were excelled in that blessing
by each of the three women, and when the meal was finished only
a little of the bread and meat was left. I put some of it into my
haversack. I had in the meantim.e told my comrade of my "find."

As we had furnished the meat, potatoes, coft'ee and sugar and
the wom^en had furnished only the corn meal, and as there were
■three of them and only two of us, the equity of the claim for
remuneration did not impress me strongly. I was willing to
call the matter square, but the old lady remonstrated about
taking the food, so I thought I would be liberal, and handed
her two $500 Confederate gold bonds, with several coupons
yet attached and due. Taking the bonds, she disdainfully
said, "We'uns don't like that ar money, but we'uns likes
you ns' money the bestest ;" so, not wishing to be at all mean or
stingy, I handed her two more $500 bonds, but even then there was
no blessing on our heads as we departed. How many thousand
dollars of the now worthless stuff I had I never knew, as I did not
even count it.

May I, 1865, we entered Anderson, S. C, and there I captured
from a Confederate Major a fine black horse. The Major pleaded
to retain the horse. He said he had lately bought him for $4000.
He further urged that it was Confederate money and belonged to
the Quartermaster's Department of the South. I told him, there-
fore, that as the horse was the real property of the Confederate
army and a proper subject of capture, I could not give him up;
but, as I was a Yankee, I would "trade" him another horse that
was only tired, as I had then ridden him more than 400 miles ; that
I would make all the bargain, take the shoes off my horse and give
him "$5000 to boot." So again the cavalry paid for what they got.

The bonds were printed on very common thin, white paper,
plain back, nine by fourteen inches. The loan was authorized by
Act of Congress, C. S. A., of August 19, 1861, and the one of the
lot I still retain is No. 335. The bonds were sold for gold, the
rate of interest. 8 per cent, per annum, being payable semi-annually.

'AN ORDERLY ENTRANCE INTO TOWN."

CORP. SMITH D. COZENS, COMPANY L, PHILADELPHIA.

HOW well I remember it ! We learned that the next day we
would probably reach Salem, N. C, and very early that
morning I was ordered to report to General Palmer, and
he put me in command of the advance guard. In giving me my
instructions he said that in all probability we would reach Salem
about the middle of the afternoon, and added that he had ascer-
tained that there were no rebels in the town, and that when I came
in sight of the place to halt until the column came up and fall in
rear of Company L, which was the advance company of the Regi-
ment that day. He desired to make an orderly entrance into the
town.

I think the detail was about twelve men, and we mounted and
moved out the Salem road as far as our picket post, probably a
mile from camp, and there awaited the start of the Regiment.
We had hardly got to the pickets when it commenced to drizzle,
the boys donned their rubber coats, and pretty soon we heard th?
bugle in our rear sounding "forward !" when we started off.

It was a fine country through which we traveled, and the ride
was without incident, although we kept a sharp lookout for the
enemy. About noon the command halted for a rest, and soon after
we started on again. It was still quite cloudy and occasionally
drizzled a little. As I looked around at my little company, most
of whom I knew intimately, I felt that if any emergency should
arise there would be no laggards. The only one whom I can
remember of that advance was Joseph S. Overholt, of my own
company — "Little Joe," as we used to call him. He and another
man rode in advance of the guard, probably loo yards.

Toward the middle of the afternoon, as we arrived upon the top

of a hill, we caught a glimpse of the town, and could plainly see

the church spires directly in front of us. Then I motioned to the

two men in advance to halt. We were now going down a hill, and

538

"An Orderly Entrance into Tonni." 539

just in front of us was another high hill, similar to the one which
we were descending. It was suggested that we go to the top of the
hill before we halted to allow the Regiment to come up, to which
I assented, and as we went up the hill I looked back and could see
nothing of them.

We reached the top of the hill, and right in front of us lay the
town in plain view, about a mile and a half away, and at the bottom
of the hill a rebel picket post of five or six men. We all saw them
at once and they us. I can remember so distinctly Overholt's re-
mark, "Cozens, there's the Johnnies !" Many things flashed
through my mind in that instant. I recalled the General's injunc-
tion about an orderly entry into the town, and I remembered that
always in our Regiment, at least, when you met the other side, you
went for them at once, and I remembered, too, my old comrade
"Pat" Lyon's example. I knew that my twelve men were waiting
my orders, and instantly I whipped out my revolver and said,
"Come on, boys !" and they came.

As soon as the rebels caught sight of us they, with one excep-
tion, mounted their horses and commenced to move toward the
town ; this one threw his carbine over the saddle of his horse and
fired at us, and I heard the bullet whistle past me, when he fired
again. Three times he fired, but we were going down hill at a
tremendous pace, and were close to him before he mounted, and
then he flew away from us like the wind and was soon ahead of
his comrades.

We commenced to gain on them, and in another 100 yards I
was within a horse's length of the hindmost. I shouted to him to
"halt!" but he kept on. The boys behind called to me to shoot
him, which I could have done, as I was almost touching his horse.
While on the dead run I raised my pistol to fire, and as I did so he
turned in the saddle and disclosed the terror-stricken face of a half-
grown boy. I thrust my pistol into my blouse, and giving "Billy"
an extra dig with the spurs, I grasped the bridle of his horse and
pulled him back standing, snatching the pistol out of his hand. I
looked behind me and saw that all my little party was close up
to me. I heard the bugle from the main column sounding, and
we kept on at the jump.

Our enemies had disappeared down a side road by this time, and
we were getting close into the town, when I discovered, right in

540 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

front of us, a party of twenty or thirty men, drawn up across the
road, holding up their hands and hats as if haihng us to stop. I
saw that they were not armed, but our blood was up, and we went
through them with a shout, scattering them like chaff. On into
the town we went, the people flying in all directions, and in a few
moments we were in the center of the place, right in the front of
the post office.

I halted the little party, swung out of the saddle, ran into the
post office, seized a large bundle of letters lying on the tables, re-
turned to the street and faced as good an officer as ever led a
cavalry regiment. I could not but wonder what his thoughts were
of my orderly entrance into the town. I saluted him and passed
the letters to one of his staff, and as he returned my salute, with
what seemed to me a kindly smile of commendation, he ordered me
to take my advance guard and go outside the town and picket the
road until the regular picket detail from the Regiment was sent
out.

CAPTURE OF THIRD SOUTH CAROLINA CAVALRY.

FIRST LIEUT. CHAS. E. BECK, COMPANY C, PALMYRA, N. J.

IT was in April, 1865, that our Regiment reached Salem, N. C.
The battalion under Major Wagner, which had gone into
Virginia and made a demonstration on Lynchburg, was still
absent. It was this movement of Wagner's cavalry which Gen-
eral Grant commented on so favorably as having caused General
Lee to halt in his retreat from Richmond, and had much to do with
causing his surrender, a few days later.

In his autobiography he criticises the raids made from General
Thomas' command at this time, as causing the destruction of much
valuable property, which he would liked to have spared, and also
ttiat they caused no Confederate troops to be withdrawn from
either Lee's or Johnston's armies. - He commends the demon-
stration on Lynchburg, which Major W^agner and two hundred
men of our Regiment made, in these words: "The only possible
good that we may have experienced from these raids was by
Stoneman getting near to Lynchburg about the time that the
Armies of the Potomac and of the Janies were closing in on Lee
at Appomattox,'" and adds "it was the cause of a commotion we
heard of there."

Our other two battalions, under Major Garner and Captain
Kramer, were with us, but the horses were not in good condition,
as our long day and night marches had worn them out.

Soon after our arrival at Salem, N. C, Colonel Betts received
orders to take the Regiment and destroy the railroad bridge
north of Greensboro, and also a factory below that place, at which
firearms for the Confederacy were being made.

Greensboro is twenty-five miles east of Salem, and it was said
a considerable force of the enemy occupied the place, so the
problem was not a cut-and-dried afifair, but one in which the ele-
ment of risk was a large factor.

541

542 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Our march began early in the evening, and at 2 a.m. Major
Garner was sent with his battahon to destroy the bridge, and Cap-
tain Kramer was also ordered to take his men and destroy the gun
factory. For himself Colonel Betts retained ninety men, with
whom he intended making a direct demonstration on Greensboro,
to draw the attention from the other two columns.

Just about daylight a colored man was picked up who said he
was the servant of Colonel Johnson, who commanded the Third
South Carolina Cavalry, who were in camp about a half mile
distant. He said a good portion of that regiment was scouting,
to ascertain the position of the Yankees. They must have gone
into camp in some of the farm-houses, as they could easily have
found us if half an effort had been made ; but so great was Colonel
Johnson's confidence in his scouting parties guarding his camp
that he had neither picket nor camp guard to warn him of danger,
and his command was just then at the homely duty of cooking-
breakfast.

All this information Colonel Betts drew from the colored man,
who had been sent by Colonel Johnson to mail a letter in a nearby
post office. It was not hard to do so, as all the colored men in the
South were our friends, and this particular one jumped at once to
the conclusion that we were Yanks.

Colonel Betts was just now in a "state of mind." The Con-
federate force far outnumbered his command. Each one recog-
nized the fact that as soon as our presence was known we would
have a fight on hand, in which we could hardly hope to be victors.

Our Colonel laid the situation before the other two officers, but
beyond the assertion that they would do anything he ordered,
received no suggestions, and he then quickly concluded the safest
course was to charge the camp.

The dispositions were soon made. I was given ten men, mounted
on the best horses, for the advance, with instructions to charge the
camp as soon as sighted and to make all the noise possible, and the
rest of the column could follow. The men on the poorest horses
were to barricade the road at the point where we turned to the
right, and protect our rear from any of the scouting forces which
might return at any moment. Then the order to advance was
given. Soon the camp came in sight, our advance and main col-
umn took up the charge, and the surprised enemy fled at once, after

Capture of Third South Caroliua Cavalry. 543

firing a few shots. One of these shots was by Colonel Johnson,
who made an earnest effort to kill Adjutant Reift", but shot his
horse instead.

The rebels fled to a neighboring meadow, and took cover in a
ditch, where they might have made a good defence and beat us oft',
but our attack was so sudden that they never had time to get their
second wind, and on demand they surrendered. The whole action
and its results demonstrated what General Palmer had so often
drilled into us, that a bold, dashing charge by a small body of good
troops would overcome a much larger force.

After eating the breakfast which our late enemies had pre-
pared for themselves, cutting the spokes of their wagons, destroy-
ing their guns and camp equipage and mounting the prisoners on
the poorest horses, we continued our march to within a short dis-
tance of Greensboro. At this point Serg. Selden L. Wilson was
detailed with ten men to destroy a railroad bridge on the outskirts
of that town. After remaining here sufficient time to enable the
battalions, under Garner and Kramer, to accomplish the work
assigned them, our detachment started back for Salem.

Sergeant Strickler and ten men were detailed for the advance,
and the same number for rear guard, which left only sixty men,
who were presumed to do the heavy fighting when the time came
and also to guard and take care of our prisoners.

As the column was ascending a long hill, not very steep.
Colonel Johnson, who was riding with Colonel Betts, turned in
his saddle to look at the column, and said with surprise, "Why
Colonel Betts, where are your men?" Betts looked, too, and was
also surprised, for the men he saw following him were principally
prisoners uniformed in butternut clothing; but Betts, concealing
his feelings, simply said, "There are others within supporting dis-
tance."

Colonel Johnson felt somewhat elated at the prospect, and said
that he and Betts would change places before many hours. A
small force of the enemy made their appearance on our left, but
a dashing charge of our advance scattered them. Soon after a
much larger force appeared around a house on our right, but-
another charge of our advance and a lucky shot from the revolver
of one of the guard, which killed one man, dispersed and routed
the rest.

544 History of tlic Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

As if we had not enough excitement for one day, a courier
arrived from General Palmer with word that the Tenth Michigan
was fighting a superior force and was being driven back on Salem,
and that we should hurry back at a trot, and if the enemy were
around the town to charge them on the flanks.

Hurrying along we soon reached the point where the other two
battalions were to join us, but Kramers' was the only one there.
He had destroyed the factory and a great quantity of arms in the
process of manufacture, without the loss of a man, and was loaded
down with prisoners. Soon after this another dispatch was re-
ceived, stating that the Tenth Michigan had driven off the enemy,
and to join the column at a walk.

Major Garner and his battalion returned that night, having
accomplished all they set out to do, without loss. This was a good
day's work — very well done.

BURNING BRIDGE OVER SOUTH BUFFALO CREEK.

LIEUT. SELDEN L. WILSON, COMPANY I, WASHINGTON, PA.

THE Regiment arrived in Salem, N. C., in the evening of
Sabbath, April lo, 1865. We found a very nice little town,
with a female seminary in session. The young ladies were
at the windows, and at one of them a United States flag was dis-
played, which was greeted with cheers as we passed.

Having procured provisions for ourselves and horses, I was
ordered, about 11 o'clock, to report to Colonel Betts. By him I
was informed that the Regiment was to move at once and that I
was to take charge of the rear guard. My instructions were to
follow the main road and to close upon the column whenever a
detachment should make a detour to the right or left.

We rode all night with advanced carbines. Just before day-
break, on the morning of the nth. Adjutant Reiff came back with
information that there were less than 100 men with Colonel Betts,
and that a charge was about to be ordered upon the camp of the
Third South Carolina Cavalry. Upon receipt of this information
we drew revolvers, and scarcely had we covered the interval
between ourselves and the column when I heard the Colonel give
the command, "Charge !" I followed close, and we rushed pell-
mell into the camp of the Southerners. Quite a number of shots
were exchanged, but I believe no one was injured on either side.

After securing a number of prisoners, an incident occurred which
I have always remembered. When Adjutant Reifif came back to the
place where the prisoners were collected, the Adjutant of the Third
South Carolina remarked, in a somewhat sarcastic tone, "Adjutant,
allow me to congratulate you on your bad marksmanship." Quick
as a flash came the reply, "The same to you, d — n you !"

Among the pleasant things I found, that morning, baking in
an old-fashioned Dutch oven, was a chicken potpie, upon which
several of us made breakfast ; also, in an officer's mess chest, a
canteen of peach brandy, which I threw across my shoulder, and

35 545

546 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

after getting the prisoners and horses gathered up I passed it
around, as far as it would go, beginning with the commanding
officer. I have always thought the heavy fog which prevailed that
morning was a good thing for us.

We had moved out a short distance with our prisoners when I
received orders to report to Colonel Betts, who instructed me to
select ten of the best men and horses in the command. As soon as
my detail was ready I was to report for further orders. It was
not long before I returned, when I received the following instruc-
tions : "Sergeant, you are to take the detail and burn a bridge over
South Buffalo Creek and cut the telegraph wires. I expect you
will find a strong guard at the bridge. Do not get into a fight to
burn the bridge, but cut the telegraph line if it costs every man
and horse you have. Make the trip as fast as your horses will
stand it." He explained to me that the bridge was ten miles south
of our present position and within two miles of Greensboro, N. C.
He told me that one battalion of the Regiment, under command
of Captain Kramer, had gone to Jamestown to destroy a railroad
bridge across Deep River, and he gave me the location of different
detachments of the Regiment, with instructions to give this in-
formation to the detail as soon as we started, so in case we became
scattered they would individually know where to go. In addition
he said : "You will be a good ways from any troops, for as soon
as we have finished breakfast we will start back to Salem, which is
twenty miles." He introduced me to a citizen as the guide who
would show me the road, then bade me good-by and good luck.

We started at a pretty fair gait, remembering we had a long
day's ride. I was mounted on the horse which the day before be-
longed to the Adjutant of the Third South Carolina Cavalry, and,
in fact, most of the men were on fresh horses. The guide com-
plained that we were going too fast, but he kept up all right. I
very particularly observed the road and advised the men to do the
same.

When we got within one-half mile of the railroad I could see the
smoke from a train which was getting away from Jamestown,
where Captain Kramer had gone. We arrived at the railroad, but
found that we had gone a mile below the bridge. When we ar-
rived at the bridge we were delighted to find no guards.

1 detailed Jonas Cotterel, who was a Samson, to cut the tele-

Burning Bridge Over South Buffalo Creek. 547

graph pole, while another man held his horse. He had to climb
up the bank some distance to reach the pole, so when he cut it off,
instead of falling over, as he expected, the wire held the top and the
lower end slipped off at the stump, leaving the pole still standing
almost erect. Well, the air was blue around that pole, but it did
not interfere wath Cotterel making the second cut. When the
pole fell, the cutting of the wires was but a small matter.

In the meantime the rest of us had been working on the bridge,
cutting kindling wood. The material of the bridge was yellow
North Carolina pine, and was as dry as tinder, so we were not long
in having such a blaze as could not be extinguished by ordinary
means.

There was a citizen at the bridge when we reached there, who
will figure in a part of this story later on. Another was an old
farmer who was ploughing nearby, and from whom we obtained
an axe on our arrival. He came down to the bridge and took one
of the axes and cut most of the kindling, saying : "Don't spoil my
axe. I will help you, for I am as good a Union man as God lets
live, but this is the first time I have dared to say so."

We left the bridge burning, but I told the guide we would not
go back down the railroad, but take a short cut and strike the road
at a little log house in the woods and save two miles. He said,
"You will get lost." I told him he had done his duty bringing
us in and I would be responsible for getting out. By taking the
short cut we not only saved two miles, but also avoided meeting
quite a squad of rebel cavalry on the way to the main road. We
crossed a ravine which led back to the railroad, and hearing a
noise in that direction we looked down, and there were at least
three or four times as many rebels as there were of us, but they
were more scared than we were, as they were getting away from
Captain Kramer at Jamestown.

We arrived at Salem just about sundown, and found the Regi-
ment formed, ready to start on a night's march toward Salisbury,
N. C. I told the men to report to their own companies, and I
went to headquarters to make my report, where I received a very
hearty reception ; in fact, I was almost pulled from my horse. The
first question Colonel Betts asked was :

"Where are all your men?"

"Reported to their companies."

548 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

"Lose any horses ?"

"No, sir."

"Did you burn the bridge ?"

"Yes, sir."

"Did you cut the telegraph wire?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, Sergeant, I never expected to see you all back alive."

Now there is more to tell in connection with the burning of the
bridge, etc. Several days after burning the bridge an orderly came
from Colonel Betts and told me to report at the head of the col-
umn. I did so promptly, although I did not know but that I was
to be reprimanded for confiscating a ham, chicken or even a horse
for the good of the United States. To my surprise, however, the
Colonel pointed to a rather well-dressed young man, and asked,
"Sergeant, did you ever see this man?" I replied, "Not that I
can remember;" when the young man said, "Are you not the
Sergeant Wilson who with a few men burned the bridge over
Buffalo Creek, two miles from Greensboro, N. C?" I said, "I
am." He said, "Well, I am the man who was walking on the rail-
road track. You came up while I was on the bridge, and made me
remain until 3'OU got the bridge well on fire. When I arrived in
Greensboro, Jefferson Davis with his Cabinet and headquarters,
expecting to be captured at any time, were in the cars on a siding."
I replied, "Had I known that, although I had accomplished all I
was ordered to do with the ten men I had with me, I would have
attempted the capture."

An after-incident, which has reference to the burning of the
bridge, occurred in 1892, when I was in Greensboro on business.
One evening, before leaving, I got a horse and cart and started
out with the intention of going to Buffalo Creek, where the bridge
was burned. Having gone about one mile, I found two colored
men sitting on the side of the road, talking. I stopped and asked
them how far it was to Buffalo Creek. One of them replied,
"About two miles." I asked about the road ; he said it was not
very good. I said, "I will pay you if you will come with me and
show me the road." He got into the cart with me. After going
a short distance we got into a very interesting conversation, and I
learned that he had been raised not far from the place where the
bridge was burned, and carried the news into Greensboro that the

Burning Bridge Over South Buffalo Creek. 549

Yankees had burned it. He told me the name of the man who
Hved near the bridge and helped to cut kindling was W .

On our way back to Greensboro he told me many things not
connected with the bridge affair which were interesting. He in-
sisted that I should stop at his house and see his mother. I did,
and found ten acres cleared, which was converted into a model
home, with small fruits and everything one could desire. This
plot of ground a few years before had been a cypress thicket. In
his home I found the aged mother, who was active and quite
intelligent. While she was very dark, her hair was white as snow.
I asked her age. He replied that they had no record of her age,
but from the most reliable information he could obtain she was
about 103 years old, which I did not dispute.

He told me many things of interest, but do not think they would
be considered a part of the history of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania
Volunteer Cavalry.

MY PART IN THE CAPTURE OF THE THIRD SOUTH
CAROLINA CAVALRY.

SERG. WM. MCGEE, REGIMENTAL SADDLER, TOLLGATE, W. VA.

IN the spring of 1865, when General Stoneman with his
raiders had reached Salem, N. C, a halt was made, and de-
tachments were sent across the country to burn bridges and
tear up the tracks of the railroad leading from Danville, Va., to
Greensboro, N. C.

Lieut.-Col. Chas. M. Betts took a detachment of the Fifteenth
Pennsylvania Cavalry out on the road in the direction of Greens-
boro. I presume the object was to hold whatever rebel force was
there while the other detachment was destroying the railroad north
of that town. My recollection is that Colonel Betts' command
numbered less than 100 sabers. We started from Salem about
dark, with Corp. D. A. Hunter, Samuel Skillen, Jno. D. Way-
choff, Isaac Worl and the writer of this as advance guard. We
marched all night.

A little before daylight we found a covered wagon by the side
of the road. A white man was asleep in the wagon and a negro
also asleep beside a log. Some of the boys found a keg contain-
ing five gallons of tar-heel whisky. The other boys took the keg
and pushed on up the hill. I stayed with the captured, and turned
them over to Colonel Betts when he came up. I then rushed after
the advance. After going about a mile, found them off in the
road filling their canteens from the keg. After that duty was per-
formed we took a drink all round from the bung of the keg. We
then went forward, in high spirits, and were ready for anything
that might happen.

Presently we came to a village called Ridgeville, and halted
at the crossroads, at the end of the village. I saw a man run-
ning across the street, farther down, and dashed after and
halted him. He proved to be a negro. To my inquiry as to
what he was doing, he said : "I am a servant to Colonel Johnson,
550

Capture of the Third South Carolina Cavalry. 551

of the Third South CaroHna Cavalry, and am taking this letter to
the post office. Their camp is only three-quarters of a mile from
this town." Then I told him to give me the letter and come with
me. When I got back to the crossroads Colonel Betts was just
coming up. I handed him the letter and also turned the negro
over to him. The Colonel immediately prepared to rush the rebel
camp, increased the advance considerably and placed Lieut. Chas.
E. Beck in command. The five of us who had been in advance all
night asked to be allowed to march at the head of the advance,
which was granted. It was now breaking day.

We started, and directly could see the enemy's fires. Our course
was down a small valley ; their camp was on a hillside, to our left,
as we went down. When about 100 yards from the foot of the hill,
where we would turn up the hill to get into camp, we drew our
revolvers, and away we went at a gallop, yelling like Indians.
When we got to the place where we would leave the road and take
the hill obHquely, in looking around to see what was before us I
saw a group of men standing by their camp fire, some distance
from the main camp and directly to our left. My first thought
was that they would get away. I turned my horse out of ranks,
went straight at them and fired two shots. By this time I was
getting close enough to see that their arms were piled under
shelter, so I dashed in between them and their guns and ordered
their "hands up," which order was obeyed instantly.

One big, fat fellow, a few feet up the hill above the others, was
down on his knees behind a stump, both hands up, and yelling at
the top of his voice", "I surrender ! I surrender !" — long sound on
the "I."

There were six of them. I had them dress in line, and then
handed the man on the right my canteen, and told him they must
all drink to my good health, and they did not decline.

Just then John A. Jamison came up, and one of my prisoners
asked, "Do you fight this way all the time?" "Yes," I replied,
"this is our style of fighting; how do you like it?" I asked them
why they didn't get to their guns when they saw me coming up
the hill at them. Their story was that the evening before they had
started out two scouting parties, and when they saw us coming
they thought we were their own men returning, and when they
saw me coming straight at them and shooting thev lost their heads,

552 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

and didn't once think of their guns until it was too late, as I was
then between them and their pieces. The reason the Third South
Carolina Cavalry was such an easy mark was that until shortly
before we made their acquaintance they had been on duty at
Charleston, S. C, where there had never been any fighting on
land, and they were about equal to a regiment of Home Guards.
If we had run into one of General Wheeler's old regiments as
we did into this one — well, I would not, in my seventy- fourth year,
be sitting here writing this true story.

A RECRUIT WHO HAD GREAT NERVE.

CAPT. FRANK E. REMONT, COMPANY 1, MOYLAN, PA.

SHORTLY after 9 o'clock on the evening of April 10, 1865.
our battalion, under Captain Kramer, consisting of eighty-
six officers and men, took one of those all-night rides with
which we had by that time become very familiar, but which we
never learned to love. It was to cut off the retreat from Rich-
mond, Va.

Approaching Jamestown, N. C, toward morning, the tooting
of a locomotive caused us to quicken our pace, I had the advance
guard of twelve men, and charging through the town to the rail-
road depot, we drove off the Confederate guard and captured
seven cars and a lot of merchandise stored in the depot. Here we
halted, to make a thorough job of burning our spoils. At the same
time a charge by the larger part of the command resulted in the
capture of the railroad bridge over Deep River, and this was
also fired and consumed.

Our great success was undoubtedly largely due to the fogginess
of the morning, for the rebels were in greater force, but our exact
number was concealed by the haze, in consequence of which the
enemy quite likely exaggerated our forces.

One of the men placed on picket while the work of destruction
was in progress at the depot, George Alexander by name, is still
living in the city of Reading, Pa. His horse, like many others in
the command, had become unserviceable from hard riding. Instead
of going back to the depot when relieved he went out in the coun-
try, on an independent scout, in search of a fresh mount. At a
plantation in the distance he found one horse, which he would
have confiscated had not a young lady pleaded so hard not to be
deprived of the only one they had that he granted her request
and allowed it to remain.

Walking back to the point in the road where he had tethered
his exhausted beast he found quite a number of horses tied to the

553

554 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

same fence, and, as he came nearer, discovered many men loung-
ing about, one of whom was in the act of examining the contents
of Alexander's saddlebags. When the fellow had desisted, at
Alexander's command, the latter inquired of the stranger if he
"had seen the lot of rebels we captured in Jamestown." "You're
one of Wheeler's men, are you not?" retorted the man, and that
was the first intimation Alexander had that he stood in the midst
of rebels. Though they wore a uniform of varied colors, there
was sufficient blue to induce such a mistake ; while, on the other
hand, his own was so stained and disfigured by soil and grease as
to make it sufficiently unrecognizable to mislead the foe. The
men were cooking and eating, with their arms and accouterments
lying along the fence.

Alexander quietly backed out of their midst. As he did so he
leveled his carbine and coolly informed them that they were
prisoners of war, and that the first man who dared to move would
be instantly shot in his tracks. Not a man stirred. Keeping them
constantly covered, he reached the fence and succeeded in destroy-
ing their arms by bending the barrels of the guns between the
fence rails. Thus far he controlled his captives without trouble.

They had carelessly placed their weapons where they could not
now reach them without taking a shot from their captor, and no
one cared to lead in such a hazardous venture. Had they been
able to take concerted action and move suddenly in a body they
could have overpowered their guard in an instant, for there were
thirteen Confederate soldiers and ten colored men in the party.
But a loaded gun is an argument the power of which cannot be
understood by those who have never had the experience; and,
incredible as it may seem, Alexander successfully controlled his
twenty-three prisoners — ^possibly by a species of hypnotism built
upon a foundation of bluff.

Not permitting them to saddle, he compelled them to mount
bareback, and driving them all before him he proceeded toward
Jamestown. By the mighty power of constant reference to the
deadly effect of his loaded weapons he dominated his mob of
prisoners for over a mile, when he was met by George Stone, of our
company, who helped him take them in. But it was well for
Alexander and Stone that they had but a short distance further
to go to reach their command, for the prisoners, gradually awaken-

A Recruit ivho had Great Nerve. 555

ing to the fact that they had been captured by one man, and reaHz-
ing the discredit this would reflect upon them, grew more and more
ugly in mood and difficult to manage. Swearing and cursing at
themselves and each other, they would soon have worked them-
selves up to the pitch of braving all hazards in a break for liberty
or revenge. One of them, after abusing the rest for their stupidity,
growled: "I told you this was a Yank when he came down the
road, but you wouldn't believe me."

I think no one will deny that this performance was a plucky one.
Alexander's name was read out on dress parade for his brave deed,
and doubtless it was mentioned in the official reports of the day.
But that was all, and even to the present time few know of the
feat, for this man's modesty was even greater than his bravery.

Our capture of Jamestown and all it held was successful in every
way, and reflects great credit upon the men who at this period of
the war were satisfied with nothing short of absolute success.
When we rejoined Captain Kramer our little advance guard of
twelve men took in its train thirty-five prisoners and sixty horses
and mules, besides having captured and destroyed two cars
loaded with cotton, 1000 stands of arms, fifty barrels of flour, five
bales of cotton cloth, twelve sacks of salt and several barrels of
molasses — all belonging to the Southern Confederacy.

Lieut. Ed. Smith, of our company, with five men captured and
destroyed a factory where arms were made for the rebel govern-
ment, and among the property he burned were 800 completed guns
and 2500 partially completed, as well as all the machinery for pro-
ducing them.

When the smallness of our force is considered and it is remem-
bered that the Confederates were in larger numbers all around
us, with General Beauregard in still greater force at Greensboro,
but five miles distant, I think our men cannot be indicted of ego-
tism in regarding this as a very creditable affair.

COMPANY A AT SHERRILL'S FORD, 1865.

WM. L. BRATTON, COMPANY A, NEW YORK.

OUR company was camped at what is called Sherrill's Ford,
on the Yadkin River, in North Carolina, some ten or twelve
miles from Lincolnton. My horse had done such heavy
service that his back was very sore, and it had every appearance
of a fistula. In the meantime I had been fortunate enough to
capture two horses, one of which I wanted to use, but the neces-
sities of one of our Sergeants and another soldier were deemed
much greater by Captain Colton, and he ordered that they should
get the horses, although I, of course, felt like any soldier would —
that I was entitled to first choice. Being at that time very head-
strong I was determined to get a new horse, if possible, and
started out on a raid "all by myself, alone."

Getting past the pickets, I made a tramp of about two miles
down the river, and came across a handsome mansion for that
section of the country, occupied by a wealthy family. When 1
examined their stable I found what appeared to be a very large
Shetland pony. The house servants and slaves gathered around
the overseer and the ladies of the family. In the group was a fine,
intelligent young boy, apparently twelve or thirteen years of age,
who owned the pony. In looking around the place one of the
negroes told me that if I "went down to Factoryville there were a
few good horses there, but most likely they were hidden in the
woods." He told me that "Factoryville was some two miles
distant down the river, and that they were making cloth down
there for the rebel soldiers." I obliged the boy to mount his pony,
and told the ladies that "the boy was safe with me — they need have
no fear whatever; that I was only going to take him" to camp, and
he would be allowed to return immediately." When we gained the
road I told the boy to "guide me to Factoryville and to be smart
about it."

In a short time we reached the edge of a small village, and there
556

Company A at Shcrrill's Ford, 1865. 557

about 100 yards in front of us was a fine bay horse hitched to a
large swinging door, which the boy told me was "the entrance
to a blacksmith shop." I rode up to this blacksmith shop on a
free gallop, and found it large enough for me to enter, I had my
pistol drawn, and when I entered I saw a fine-looking Confederate
Sergeant, and a blacksmith in the regular "smithy" clothes. The
Sergeant realized there was no use to do anything but obey my
command to surrender. The blacksmith was a middle-aged, well-
built man ; but being, I supposed, a non-combatant, I hadn't sense
enough to think he might attempt any harm. I asked this Con-
federate Sergeant if there were any more of them, and he said
there was "one who was in some house in the village," and I made
him guide me to the place where he was supposed to be. I didn't
dismount, but I found in the yard of the house a very fine horse,
well saddled. The Confederate Sergeant was attempting to parley
with me for his horse, but as I had taken the Sergeant's arms I
considered I had no further use for him, and told him so.

Now having captured two horses, I had gained the object of my
little raid, and ordered a well-dressed house servant of one of the
crowd that had gathered around to "mount the Sergeant's horse."
vSeveral ladies made their appearance at the gate and attempted
to enter and go into the house, but I had a presentiment of trouble,
and told them they "must not enter." The Confederate Sergeant
again attempted to argue and wanted to let the ladies go into the
house. I drew my pistol on him, and it was a good thing I did so,
for I was told afterward that the Confederate Colonel who was in
the house had a double-barreled shotgun, loaded with buckshot,
pointing at me from the upper window, but he was afraid that the
shot would strike some of the ladies. I told the people "the Yanks
were coming in about 10,000 strong," and ordered the boy, and the
darkey who was mounted on the Sergeant's horse and leading the
officer's horse, to "follow me," leaving the Confederate Sergeant
with the ladies.

The Sergeant was an intelligent fellow, and must have known
something of the right surroundings, for he turned around as I

left and yelled that he "believed it was a d d Yankee trick."

We went out of that village on a full gallop and reached the
dirt road that led through the woods toward Sherrill's Ford.
When we were half way through we were startled by a shot in our

558 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

rear, which we afterward learned was from the blacksmith whom
I had left in his shop, and who had followed up and took a chance
at us on the sly. I looked back, but could see only the heels of his
horse, so we continued on a gallop through the woods until we
were halted by our pickets. I reported to Captain Colton, and got a
new mount, of course. When I told him what I had discovered
he detailed four others, and told me to "go down to Factory ville
and see if we could capture any more horses or gather in any
prisoners." We also took with us a volunteer negro servant of
Company B.

Having come over the road before, of course I acted as advance
guard, and was very much surprised, before we had reached the
village, to meet one of the finest looking Southern gentlemen I had
ever seen — one of the Buffalo Bill stamp in build and looks. He
was apparently unarmed and rode a good saddle mule. He looked
like a fighting man, however, and I took the precaution to search
him. Finding a six-barreled revolver upon him, he was turned, over
as a prisoner to the colored servant who accompanied us, and
whose name I believe was Joe.

When we were within about 300 yards of the village I told the
boys the best thing we could do would be to make a dash right into
the place, which we did, and rode some 400 or 500 yards without
any opposition. Then we scattered around to see what we could
find in the house where I had been a few hours previous. I
gathered in Colonel Lane, of the Virginia army, who was a Colonel
of artillery, and said to be one of the sons of Senator Joe Lane, of
Oregon. The other son was said to be in the Union army.

I found out that they had made and were making a great deal
of cloth for the Confederate army at Factoryville, and I told every-
body that we were going to destroy the factory, and I wanted
everyone to get pillow cases, mattresses and bags of all kinds and
fill them with cotton and take them to their homes, for we would
burn all the cotton in a short time, and we did not want them to
suflfer by it, but we would not allow any more cloth to be made
there.

In a short time bags of all kinds filled with cotton were being
carried by the people. I do not know how much they took, for in
a few minutes someone told me that there were some horses
hidden on the island in the Yadkin River. The island being right

Company A at Sherrili's Ford, 1865. 559

opposite Factoryville, we forded the river, scouted over the island,
but could not find any, and returned to Factoryville, doing no
further damage and finding no more soldiers.

We had gone about a fourth of a mile when a mulatto, about
twenty-five years of age, appeared suddenly on our left, coming
through the woods. He was leading three elegant horses and rid-
ing another equally as good. He was making a bee line for free-
dom at the first opportunity presented, he frankly told us. Of
course, we accepted the horses and brought him along with us.
I met this same mulatto in 1866 driving a four-horse team for
Babbitt's soap, opposite the State House in Philadelphia. He knew
me at once, and left his team on the side of the street and made a
demonstration of thankfulness that attracted the attention of many
people and made me feel very good. He said "he had been very
successful since coming North, had married and was very happy."

We returned to camp with our prisoner and horses, and again
reported to Captain Colton, and as our boys who had been guard-
ing Sherrili's Ford had been fired upon, the same squad was de-
tailed to go to the other side of the Yadkin River and search the
houses for firearms. There were several fine houses near there,
but we could gain no information, and our search was only suc-
cessful in securing a few squirrel rifles, which are very eft'ective
for use under certain conditions.

When we reached camp from the Factoryville raid the Colonel
we had captured was very much depressed, but he was treated so
nicely by our Captain, who put him on his parole, that when he
passed our camp fire, at which we were making our evening meal,
he recognized several of the boys who were on the little raid, and
complimented them very highly for the manner in which they had
acted throughout. Of course, he deplored his loss of freedom.

CARRYING DISPATCHES ON OUR LAST RAID.

J. M. BROWN^ COMPANY B^ CIRCLEVILLE^ PA.

IN the spring of 1865 our Regiment, the Fifteenth Pennsyl-
vania Cavalry, broke camp at Wauhatchie, at the foot of
Lookout Mountain, near Chattanooga, Tenn.

At this time with about twenty others I was detailed to store
away cavalry equipments in a small house in Chattanooga which
had been set apart for our Regiment. We remained there for two
weeks, and were then ordered to follow the command, and took
train for Knoxville, East Tennessee. At Knoxville we were joined
by some thirty or forty of our Regiment, and were supplied with
five days' rations, 120 rounds of cartridges, horses, horseshoes,
nails, etc. These rations, equipments, etc., were all that we re-
ceived from Uncle Sam for the next sixty-seven days.

We were placed in command of an officer — a Lieutenant Colonel,
I think — -whose home, before the war, had been in the South.
Colonel Palmer, the Commander of the Fifteenth Regiment, had
about this time been promoted, and was now in command of three
regiments, and later on of the whole division. The officer who was
now placed over us undertook to take us by a shorter route over
the Smoky Mountains into North Carolina, where we expected
to join our command, then on its way to capture Salisbury Prison.
He lost his way, and we wandered among the mountains for days
^vithout a sign of civilization, but we finally found our road and
joined our command. We marched to Salisbury and destroyed the
public property effectively. The escape of the commander of the
prison and the horrible condition of the prisoners are so well
known that I shall barely mention them in a communication of this
length.

Shortly after the destruction of the prison we reached a small

town in North Carolina, where six of us were detailed to carry a

dispatch to General Stoneman. Corporal Jones, of Philadelphia,

had charge of us. When about to start General Palmer said to

560

Carrying Dispatches on Our Last Raid. 56I

Corporal Jones: "Here is a blank dispatch, which you yourself
must keep, as the rebels will naturally look to you tor any dis-
patches. Let the man who has the swiftest horse have the genuine
dispatch, and if you are captured let him escape at the risk of his
life." Corporal Jones was a three years' man and had seen service,
but he had an undertaking on his hands when he started out with
five of us, all recruits, who had enlisted in July, 1864. We set out,
and as soon as we were away from our officers took more liberties
than we should perhaps have done. Before we had gone fifty
miles the man who had the "best" horse traded him and got $24
"to boot."

We decided to ride at a moderate rate of speed all day until after
night, then retire from the road some distance into a thicket, and
without fire, picket or guard lie down and sleep.

On the fifth day we were riding along a straight piece of road
that ran up onto a little knoll, on which we could see men forming
in line, directly in front of us. Corporal Jones called a halt and
ordered us to examine our guns. While the halt was made the
hero of the play began to develop himself. George Alexander, ot
Company I, said to Jones: "May I act as advance guard to rout
the enemy?" Jones said: "George, would you go up that hill in
the face of fifteen or twenty men with loaded guns?" Alexander
answered, "All I ask is your permission." Scarcely was it granted
when Alexander leaned forward in his saddle, put both spurs in the
sides of his horse, and rode straight at the enemy. The remain-
ing five of us followed, about 100 yeards behind him, at a dead
gallop. The enemy leveled their guns, and a rain of bullets came
down the road. None of us fired a shot, but rode forward at a
gallop. The rebels dispersed in different directions, after empty-
ing their guns, and when the main body of the army, five in num-
ber, reached the top of the hill not a man was in sight. Alexander
was missing.

Near the top of the hill there were three roads — one to the right,
one to the left and one straight ahead. Jones ordered two men to
go on the right-hand road, two on the left-hand road and he him-
self went straight ahead, the object being to find Alexander and
help him if he needed help. J. M. Shaw, of Homestead, Pa., and I
took the road to the left. After riding about a mile we came to
another crossroad, and stopped to "hold a council of w^ar" as to

36

562 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

what course to pursue. In a moment we heard three or four shots
fired off to the left, and we put spurs to our horses and galloped
down the left-hand road for about three-quarters of a mile, where
we found Alexander, off his horse, and instead of having one horse
he had three, or, to be more accurate, two horses and a mule. He
had pursued the enemy so closely that they left their horses and
ran across a field. He had his carbine on the fence firing at the
enemy — as he said, "Just to see how close I can come." We left
one horse and took the mule along with us. We soon disposed of
it to a farmer for $25 in silver. We went forward, thanking God
and taking courage.

Then, without further incident of note, we struck the railroad
between Atlanta and Chattanooga, and Corporal Jones left us here
while he went forward by train and delivered his dispatches, and
then rejoined us, and we started back.

We traveled the same road on our return for about 150 miles.
We then went in a westerly direction, and finally struck the trail
of our Regiment. In a short time after striking the trail we
visited a plantation to get some rations. It was a Union family
and in the greatest distress. The father, with his negro servant,
had started to mill with a team of oxen and a wagonload of grain.
On the way they were attacked by bushwhackers. The man and
the negro were killed and the grain, oxen and wagon were missing.
He had favored the Union, and sometimes harbored Union sol-
diers ; hence ihe dislike. The family made us welcome, gave us
our dinner, and told us that our command was two days ahead of
us. They warned us that our Regiment had been attacked by
bushwhackers not far ahead and that we would have to pass the
headquarters of the same men who attacked our Regiment. They
warned us that we should not consider surrender under any cir-
cumstances, as we would be only cut to pieces if we did so. We
thanked them for the information and departed.

About a mile from the plantation we came to the place where
the Regiment had been attacked, and the bushwhackers were nu-
merous. Here again Alexander got in his work. Five or six of the
marauders came out of an old building and came straight toward
us. What their intentions were we did not know, and Alexander
did not wait to inquire. Jumping from his horse he ran right
at them, revolver in hand. They all had revolvers, so he could

Carrying Dispatches on Our Last Raid. 563

turn his attention to but one at a time. Running up to one of them,
he tore the fellow's revolver from its socket and demanded of him
what command he belonged to. Then he said, "You are guerrillas ;
get out!" They skulked off without waiting to be told the second
time.

We then moved forward, and without further molestation at
length joined our command, on the shores of the Tennessee River.
After waiting for a few days for a boat to cross the river we went
to Huntsville, then later to near Nashville, Tenn., where in June,
1865, we were mustered out. We estimated the distance traveled
at 600 miles, since leaving the Regiment in North Carolina.

CARRYING XEWS OF THE ARMISTICE BETWEEN
SHERMAN AND JOHNSTON.

CORP. \V. E. REPPERT, COMPANY C. CULPEPER. VA.

ON Friday, April 21, 1865, while the Regiment was at Lin-
colnton, N. C, a courier arrived from General Sherman,
notifying us of the armistice between him and General
Johnston, and ordering us to join Sherman's army at Raleigh.

It looked as if the war was over and we were to have a rest
from the long marches, which had been continuous, day and night,
since we left Knoxville, Tenn., on March 21st. Men and horses
had been put to their utmost endurance. Our company and part
of the first battalion, under Colonel Betts, had joined the Regiment
at Lincolnton the evening before.

After having driven Duke's command across the Catawba River
and burned the wagon and railroad bridges, our horses were far
from being fresh or in condition for a long march. At about dark,
while eating supper, I received orders to take six men and report
to Lieutenant Beck in Lincolnton. I do not remember the number
of men Lieutenant Beck had in his command, but it was a small
party. I think I was the only non-commissioned officer. Lieuten-
ant Beck's orders to me were to take five men for the advance, to
start out on the Morganton road, and keep up a trot all night.
Morganton was fifty miles away, and we must make it by day-
break. General Gillem with the second and third brigade was
supposed to be there, on his way to Asheville, N. C.

It was 8 o'clock when we left Lincolnton. The night was
exceedingly dark, with not even a star to guide us. Anyone who
has traveled country roads, even in daylight, knows how per-
plexing it is to always keep the right road. After keeping up a
trot for about two hours we decided to impress a citizen for a
guide. The streams were quite high, and we lost some time at one
of the fords. The old citizen was very much scared and reluctant
to go with us. We lost half an hour getting him out and mounted.
It was a waste of time, for when we were twenty miles from his
564

Carrying Nezvs of Armistice. 565

home he did not know any more about the roads or fords than I
did. I could not tell whether his ignorance was real or assumed,
but turned him loose, thinking it safer to trust to my own instinct
than to an ignorant or unwilling guide.

We arrived at Morganton as day was breaking. There were
no Union soldiers in the town, and we learned from one of the
citizens that General Gillem's command had moved toward Ashe-
ville the day before. We did not stop in the town, but moved out
about three miles on the road to Marion, where we stopped for an
hour to feed. We made the twenty-five miles between Morganton
and Marion before noon. Here we received information that part
of General Gillem's command, under Colonel Miller, had been
defeated on the mountain, and had passed through Marion on the
Rutherfordton road at 10 a.m. We overtook them at 3 p.m. in
the mountain gap, and delivered our dispatches to Colonel Miller,
to be forwarded to General Gillem by fresh horses, as ours were
played out.

We turned back with General Miller's command to Rutherford-
ton, where we arrived about 5.30 or 6 o'clock. The distance we
had traveled since 8 o'clock the evening before we estimated at
no miles. This included a number of delays and a stop of one
hour to feed. We figured the entire distance had been made in
about nineteen hours.

We left Rutherfordton late in the forenoon, on the road to
Lincolnton, and met a party of the Eighth Texas Cavalry, who in-
formed us President Lincoln had been assassinated. At noon,
when we stopped to feed, General Palmer and the Regiment came
up.

The rumor of the assassination of President Lincoln proved too
true, and instead of the Regiment joining Sherman's forces at
Raleigh, which would have taken us home via Washington, D. C,
we started on a long march after Jefif Davis and his Cabinet,
which ended at Huntsville, Ala., May 25th, sixty-five days after
we left Knoxville. In that time we had marched about 2000 miles.

THE CAPTURE OF GENERAL BRAXTON BRAGG.

WM. SPANG, CORPORAL COMPANY E, PHILADELPHIA.

DURING the latter part of April, 1865, Gen. Wm. J. Palmer,
commanding the former division of General Gillem, began
his great pursuit of Jefferson Davis and train. The
Fifteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, commanded by Col.
Chas. M. Betts, was also on that raid. For about two weeks,
night and day, we followed on the trail of the Confederates. We
were moving in a southerly direction, and every day seemed to
develop more wagon tracks, until the roads had become so con-
gested with material, that the Confederates had taken down the
fences, creating new roads, about fifty feet wide or more, directly
through the farms, as an outlet for their hurried retreat southward.
About 6 A.M., on the morning of May 11, 1865, while our Regi-
ment was moving on the main pike, we came to a smaller road
leading to the left, which contained a number of ambulance wagon
tracks.

Lieut. Samuel Phillips halted his company there, and made a
detail of about seven men from Companies E and G, including
Serg. Levi Sheffier and myself. Sergeant Sheffler was in com-
mand, and we were to follow the wagon tracks on the small road.
We marched about two miles, and coming to a little church or
country schoolhouse, we noticed that inside the rail fence, part of
which had been taken down, were wagon tracks leading in. There
were also the remains of a small camp fire in the field, made possi-
bly the night previous.

After a considerable march we turned to the right and began
ascending another road, with fresh wagon tracks, leading through
a large forest, until we came to a stone building located in the
forest. We halted there, and I climbed in through the window.
The interior looked to me as though it had been a meeting place
for Masons or Odd Fellows, and had been quickly abandoned.
There were a couple of tables and chairs, and scattered on the
floor were some newspapers and manuscript. We then continued
566

The Caj^tiirc of General Braxton Bragg. 567

to follow the wagon tracks downward through the forest until we
came to the open road along which we had been moving. We
were scattered along, not observing any special discipline, but
keeping an eye to the surroundings. We were now west of the
town of Monticello and Concord a short distance north.

Nearing the cottage, we hurried along the road until we came up
to it. Sergeant Sheffler had captured General Bragg a few
moments before I arrived, and Bragg had just seated himself on
the porch with a large map of the State of Georgia thrown over
the back of the seat. Bragg was in full gray uniform, and had
endeavored to conceal his identity by removing the buttons and
insignia of his rank from his discolored uniform. About a half
hour after Sergeant Sheffler had captured General Bragg, Lieu-
tenant Phillips and his men arrived on the scene. Lieutenant
Phillips spoke to the General, and after a short conversation with
the boys he and the General walked away about forty yards. They
went to a rail fence, climbed on it and sat there talking for about
three-quarters of an hour. Then Lieutenant Phillips made prepa-
rations to leave, as we heard that he had paroled the General.

In the meanwhile Sergeant Sheffler and myself had been search-
ing the General's effects. We found his gold-mounted spurs, and
on them was engraved "Presented to Gen. Braxton Bragg by the
people of the State of Georgia, for his gallantry at the battle of
Missionary Ridge." We also found his sash, field glasses, woolen
blankets and other articles. While we were searching, Bragg came
to the wagons, and saw us uncover two new U. S. uniforms.
Bragg requested that they be not taken from him, as they had
been presents, and in the presence of Sergeant Sheffler and myself
declared upon the honor of a soldier that he had never worn them.
A trunk was also taken from the cottage, which proved to be the
property of Mrs. Bragg. She opened her batteries by reminding
us who we were, and said that she had never been so insulted in all
her life as to have her efifects searched by a set of Yankee hirelings.
While she was giving vent to her eloquence she was at the same
time tearing up a letter or dispatch into very small pieces, and by
the time her tirade was exhausted the ground was covered with
small bits of paper, reminding me of "the beautiful snow."

Shortly after A-Irs. Bragg's harangue, Lieutenant Phillips de-
manded that Sergeant Sheffler give up all he had that belonged to

568 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

the General — the sash, field glasses and spurs — which Bragg's
colored servant saw Sergeant Sheffler take, as he had been watch-
ing us while we were searching, and had reported it to Lieutenant
Phillips or to Bragg.

In a short while after Lieutenant Phillips made a detail of about
eight men, including myself, which was to escort the General and
Mrs. Bragg on the road. We mounted our horses, and Mrs.
Bragg, the General and myself rode together. I found him
pleasant company, but reserved and very much of a gentleman.
Mrs. Bragg had nothing to say except to engage in an occasional
conversation with the General. She had expressed her opinion to
the Yanks an hour before. And now, while I think of her, she was
good looking, had black hair and eyes ; in fact, a perfect type of
a Southern brunette.

I think we must have traveled several miles and then halted, and
the General, finding no one to disturb him, must have written a
dispatch which he handed to me to give to Lieutenant Phillips. I
do not remember handing the dispatch to Lieutenant Phillips, but
the circumstance and the date agree. It must have been the very
last dispatch ever written by Braxton Bragg as a prisoner of war.
It ran :

"Indian Springs, May ii, 1865.
"Lieutenant Phillips :

"Finding no one to disturb or molest my quiet progress, your
escort is discharged.

"The Sergeant and his men have been considerate and attentive
and deserve my thanks. Accept the same for your consideration.

"Braxton Bragg."

I tipped him the usual salute, lifted my hat and facing about we
left the General to join his friends.

Several hours after we reached the main column and continued
our search for Jefferson Davis, but were unusually delayed in our
progress, otherwise Jefiferson Davis would have fallen into the
hands of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, but we
had driven him into General Wilson's lines, and Colonel Pritch-
ard's command. Fourth ^Michigan Cavalrv, captured him on }^Iay
15- 1865.

AN ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE TEFE DAVIS.

FIRST LIELUT. JOHN F. CONAWAV, A.A.D.C, PHILADELPHIA.

THE headquarters of the First Cavalry Division, Department
of East Tennessee, reached Athens, Ga., May 4, 1865.
Gen. Wm. J. Pahner with his staff occupied the house of
Howell Cobb.

Shortly after our arrival I was sent for by General Palmer, and
informed that Davis, in the disguise of a miller, would be at Madi-
son, Ga., about thirty-five miles distant, on a train of cars which
would arrive there at daylight the next morning.

A battalion of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry, numbering about
200 men, was ordered under my direction to make this hurried
night march, with orders to be at Madison before daylight.

We moved out about dusk, and I remember as I took my place
at the head of the column there rode alongside of me our telegraph
operator, John J. Wickham, a young man who had been on duty
at our headquarters and proved himself to be not only an expert
telegraph operator, but a brave and dashing fighter. After the
war he became a distinguished lawyer, and before his death, a few
years ago, one of the Judges of the Superior Court of Pennsyl-
vania.

The first and only obstacle we encountered on the expedition
was the Oconee River. We reached its banks in the night and in
the woods. A flatboat took twenty horses over at a time, and
when forty were across we moved forward, leaving the balance of
the command to follow. It was a strange country to us, and there
were many forks and crossroads, but by hastily awakening the
people in their houses we were able to keep on the right road.

We arrived at Madison in ample time. Wickham tapped the
wires, and reading by sound ascertained that the train was on its
way west from Augusta. A detail was immediately ordered to
tear up a portion of the tracks, and with pickets posted we waited.

The train soon arrived, composed of six cars, loaded down with
unarmed rebels, on their way to their homes from Lee's surrender.

569

570 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

As is well known, Jefferson Davis was not among them. This
was ascertained, to our satisfaction at least, by a close inspection
by Wickham and myself of every man on the train. We were
filled with great anxiety at the time, lest he might escape us,
and which he very likely could have done had he been disguised
in the garb of a private soldier, as neither of us had ever seen him,
and our only knowledge of his appearance was what we remem-
bered from the pictures of him which had been published at dififer-
ent times in the newspapers.

The inspection being over, there appeared on the scene a small
party of elderly gentlemen, in citizen's clothes, with a large wagon
drawn by a good team of mules. They stated to us that they were
the officers of the State Bank of Alabama, at Montgomery ; that
the Confederate Government at Richmond had passed a law con-
fiscating all the specie of the Southern banks, and ordered it turned
into the Confederate treasury ; and that to evade the execution of
this law they had loaded all the books and specie of the bank in
the wagon and taken to the woods, and, learning of the occupation
of Madison by Northiern troops, had come in to surrender them to
the care of Union forces. My recollection is that the president
of the bank had a written permit or order, signed by General
Wilson, or one of his officers, directing him to report to General
Upton at Augusta. There were books and papers and fifteen
boxes of silver, and a keg of gold said to contain $80,000. These
were loaded on the train, and with the officers of the bank were
started on their way to Augusta. All of this valuable property
might have been taken and divided among us, but not a dollar of
it was disturbed. Such an idea never entered my mind, and I am
sure it never did Wickham's. We were after Jeff Davis and notii-
ing else.

The battalion of the Tenth Michigan behaved splendidly, and
the strictest discipline was maintained. We encamped near the
town until the next day, when we were joined by the balance of
the Regiment under Colonel Trowbridge. The, entire command
then moved westward, and joined the main force south of Hunts-
ville. Wickham and myself, bidding Colonel Trowbridge and the
officers of the battalion good-bye, made our way to General Pal-
mer's headquarters, then just established at the elegant home of
Mrs. Patton, at that place.

An Attempt to Capture Jeff Daz'is. 571

There is no doubt Davis intended originally to make his way to
the "trans-Mississippi Department"' by some of the roads between
Athens and Madison. Had he done so, his capture, very likely
by the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, would have been certain.
I recall that the night we spent at Madison, Wickham and myself
put up our dog tent opposite the house of a lawyer by the name of
Billips — then a member of the Confederate Congress. We slept
very little, and after an inspection of the outposts I had just laid
down when a "contraband" crawled under the tent and informed
me that Jeff Davis and his party were then encamped in the
woods, about three miles off, in a direction which he pointed out.
He told me that he got this information at his master's house, that
a man from Davis had been there for milk, and that if a company
of our men were sent they could capture him. A scouting party
was immediately ordered in the direction named, but nothing came
of it. Several other scouts were made in different directions, but
without result, either in capturing Davis or obtaining any informa-
tion of special importance. I never doubted the truthfulness of
what the "contraband" said, for he undoubtedly told me just
v.-hat he had seen and heard, but there can be little question
that this was part of an arranged plan to mislead and deceive us
in our efforts to eff'ect the capture of the chief of the Southern
Confederacv.

CAPTURE AND RELEASE OF MAJOR GARXER AT
JACKSONVILLE, ALA.

CORP. WM: ANDERSON, COMPANY F, WILKINSBURG, PA.

WHEN the Regiment started from Jacksonville, Ala., on
the morning- of May i6, 1865, Major Garner was left
there to parole Confederate soldiers and to receive a dis-
patch which was expected. I was ordered to stay with him. I
had three of my company with me, and we made ourselves pretty
comfortable in an old drug store.

The Major went to the house of one of the most influential
citizens, and was courteously received, and took the parlor for his
office. He was busy filling out paroles, and the parlor was crowded
with ex-Confederates. Suddenly he heard a woman call out, in a
frightened voice, "Oh, they are going to kill him !" and turning,
saw two belligerent looking fellows, dressed in Confederate uni-
form, with pistols in their hands. They came at the Major in a
threatening manner, but just then the owner of the house spoke
up, "For God's sake, gentlemen ! don't kill him here, because you
will spoil my carpet." At that his assailants grabbed the Major
by the coat collar, pulled him out of the house and into the street.

Quite a crowd of citizens had gathered by this time, and among
them the Mayor of the town, whose son was one of the Major's
assailants. He told his son that "it was an outrage to attack him
in that manner; that if they injured him it would certainly result
in harm to the town; that the war was over, and that the Major
had a right to be there," and a whole lot of other stuff like that. But
the young fellow replied, in a loud and savage voice, that the Con-
federacy had not been vanquished — it had been overpowered — and
that he proposed to "keep up the fighting by killing every d — d
Yankee who came into their country."

But where was the Major's guard all this time? I had not
looked for any disturbance here, and my men were in a back room
of a drug store, playing cards. I knew nothing of the outrage
572

Capture and Release of Major Garner at Jacksonville. 573

until I strolled to the front of the store, and then saw the crowd
and the "Johnny" who had hold of the Major's collar. Calling
my men at once we grabbed our carbines and ran to his assistance,
and when he saw us he yelled "blaze away !" which we did to good
effect. The fellow who had hold of him let go at once, and we all
ran out to the public square, firing for all we were worth, and
soon had them scattered and running. As soon as we could gain
our horses we wanted to give them a chase, but the Major re-
strained us, and said, "Boys, just take it cool, for you gave them
all they wanted. They won't bother us any more."

Soon after a squad from our Regiment joined us, having been
sent back by Colonel Betts, who had become somewhat alarmed for
our safety. Some of Wheeler's men had captured two men of
Company L, relieved them of horses, arms and valuables and then
set them free. This had occurred shortly after the Regiment left
us, and possibly it was the same party we met.

ONE OF THE FINAL INCIDENTS OF THE WAR.

E. L. PALMER, COMPANY G, WEST CHESTER^ PA.

GENERAL BRAGG was captured by a squad of our Regi-
ment under command of Lieutenant Phillips. I was in the
squad detailed to conduct General Bragg and his compan-
ions, including Mrs. Bragg — a sister of Jefferson Davis — to Gen-
eral Wilson, whose headquarters were then at Indian Springs, and
who a few hours after had captured Jefferson Davis and his
party.

During the ten hours' march Mrs. Bragg was communicative
to me, who happened to be near her. She spoke of their reverses
and blasted hopes after their long struggle, and of her dreams of
the Confederation when "State rights" would prevail and their
cherished institution of slavery remain.

I distinctly recall some of her words. She said: "Now, gentle-
men, you left your homes, where you had all you wished, and came
into our country, and brought misery and sorrow to us by all the
cruel circumstances of war, with its destruction of life and prop-
erty. You have made us helpless, hopeless and comfortless to a
degree from which we can never recover. Would you not, as well
as we, have been better oft" without this terrible invasion and sub-
jugation? We have no heart, no hope, no country we care to call
our country."

These words, coming from such a distinguished lady, seemed to
call for a reply, but I felt that silence was the most appropriate
under the circumstances.

574

A SCRAP OF PAPER.

CORP. SMITH D. COZENS, COMPANY L, PHILADELPHIA.

IT was during the raid through the Carolinas, in the spring of
1865, just before we reached Athens, Ga., that I was taken
sick and was hardly able to ride. One bright morning, not
long after we started on the march, I fell back until the rear guard
caught up to me. Finally I could not keep up with them, so I gave
them my horse and side arms and was left in the middle of the
road.

I hobbled on as best I could, and toward the middle of the day
I came across my old friend Serg. Al. Coleman, walking along
the road in the same predicament as myself. Coleman was a sick
man and could hardly get along, but "it kinder made it easier," as
they used to say down South, for two of us to be together.

We were not in a very pleasant situation. Our Regiment had
been raiding the country for miles around, and the inhabitants
were not very pleasantly disposed toward "we'uns." After
going along for some distance we came to a house, and took
a horse and buggy from the people and got in. It was dangerous
business. The horse was about in the same condition as we were,
the harness was made of a little of everything except good leather,
and the buggy was in a fearfully dilapidated condition. However,
we got on pretty well, but slowly, until we came to a river.

It was dark -by this time, but someone directed us to the ford,
and we started in. Coleman, outranking me, drove. We were
pretty nearly over, when we got off the ford, the wheel struck a
boulder, then the horse left the wagon, and that was the end of the
harness. The water was up on the floor of the buggy, and we sat
there unable to do anything.

After some time we heard a horse enter the ford behind us. then
another and then quite a number. "We are in for it! — it's the
Johnnies," said Coleman. In a few minutes someone struck the
top of the buggy with the flat of a saber and cried out. "Hello!
anvbodv in there?" and several soldiers rode up alongside of the

576 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

buggy. They had on the blue, and we found them to be Union
cavalry. We explained our dilemma, and two of the men took us
on behind them, and carried us to the shore, set us down and then
went on their way.

In a little while we started on, and finally struck a house and
insisted on the people allowing us to sleep there. They didn't
care about it much at first, but it was a necessity with us, and we
simply stayed. There was a little trouble in the night, and the
folks came downstairs and insisted that we go out to the barn, as
somebody was out there with a light. Coleman took a lantern
and went out to the barn, and did not see anyone, but found flour
sprinkled all about the road leading into the woods. However,
we got off in the morning early, and traveled on, and that night
\Nt reached Athens, Ga., and found part of the Regiment there.
We joined our company, and slept that night on the campus of
the University of Georgia.

The command made an early start the next morning, and Lieu-
tenant Morton came to Coleman and me and told us that it would
be impossible for us to keep up, and that we had better stay there.
They also left another comrade of our company (L), named
Daniel Earhardt, who had been shot through the foot by an acci-
dental discharge of a carbine. You can imagine my feelings as
I saw the boys ride away, leaving me standing around the remains
of the camp fire. It was not long after the boys were gone before
a Confederate soldier came out of the big University building,
which was used as a Confederate hospital, and asked me what I
was doing there. I told him my condition, and he invited me to
come in. I followed him into the building, and on the first floor
I found a doctor and several Confederate soldiers gathered around
a bed, upon which a Confederate soldier was dying. The situa-
tion, together with my condition, was too much for me, and I
fainted. The soldiers picked me up and laid me on a bed next the
dying soldier, and in a little while I realized that I was a very
sick boy. The soldier died in a few moments, and the doctor then
turned his attention to me, and said, "This is no place for this
boy! Carry him upstairs, where it is light and cheerful, and per-
haps he will feel better."

During the day the doctor came in again to see me. He asked
me what command I belonged to, and I told him the Fifteenth

A Scrap of Paper. 577

Pennsylvania Cavalry. Said he, "What part of Pennsylvania do
you come from?" 1 said, "Philadelphia." His face brightened
up, and he said, "I have spent many happy days in your city. I
studied medicine there." He talked about the good old city for
some time, and then he asked, "Do you know the firm of French &
Richards, chemists, in your city?" I told him I did, for I knew them
much as I knew George Washington — by reputation. From that mo-
ment the doctor was my friend. He said, "Boy, I will bring you
around all right," and for one week he faithfully attended to me.

Earhardt was in the hospital with me and received every atten-
tion, and was given a pair of crutches to use. Coleman came in
one day and told us he was stopping across the way with a man
by the name of Kirkpatrick, and soon afterward he got away, and
finally arrived at home after suffering incredible hardships.

One morning the doctor came into the hospital accompanied by
a large, elderly man, in the dress of a General in the Confederate
army. After some conversation I learned that I was to be taken
to the General's home. Aly host's name was Brown, and he had
been connected with the National Intelligencer, published at Wash-
ington, before the war, and later he was a General in the Con-
federate service. He had been captured in one of the battles
around Richmond, and was now home on parole. The General's
household consisted of himself — about fifty years of age — his
wife, who was an Englishwoman about twenty-five years old,
and a young Lieutenant, a member of his staff, who had been
captured and was also on parole.

While in that house I was treated by the General with con-
sideration, and by the wife and Lieutenant with scorn and con-
tempt. I sat at the table with the family, and listened three times
each day to their opinion of the Yanks. I had to keep indoors, for
the country was overrun with rebel soldier}- on their way home
from Richmond, and it was dangerous for me to be seen.

One day the General brought home with him a Confederate Cap-
tain, who stayed with us several days. He was an intelligent man,
and we talked the soldier business all over in a very pleasant way.
His name was Magill, his home was in Savannah, and he was very
anxious to get there. He had left the army because he was satis-
fied the war was about over. One day he proposed to me that he
would conduct me safely to the Lmion lines at Augusta if I would

37

578 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

stand his friend when we got there and try to have him paroled.
I told him I could not accept his offer unless it included my friend
Earhardt, but when he learned that Dan was a cripple he con-
cluded it was not feasible.

However, he came in that night and said that if we could get
ready by morning he would try it. Get ready ! — why I was ready
at once. I sent word to Dan, and the next morning the Captain
took Dan and I down to the railroad station, where an engine and
three cars had been gathered for the purpose of taking a num-
ber of rebels as near Augusta as possible. We got in, but I pass
over that disagreeable journey, for Earhardt and I sat there and
were subjected to the gibes and sneers of the Confederates, who
filled the car, and who had a plentiful supply of apple-jack for all
hands but us. We would have had a sorry time of it had it not
been for our friend, the Captain.

Within sight of Augusta we got off the train, and while the
Confederates scattered in all directions we started for the Union
lines, Earhardt, with a sling around his neck supporting his foot,
hobbling on crutches, and I supporting him. We did not occa-
sion much alarm when we came in sight of the Yankee pickets,
and the Lieutenant in charge quietly listened to our story, and
when he was relieved took us to the headquarters of General
Mollineaux, the officer commanding the post.

I told him our story, and he attentively listened to it, and when
I had concluded, said: "Well, you have made a promise to our
friend the Captain ; I guess I will have to help you fulfill it." He
paroled the Captain. We shook hands and parted, and it was the
last we saw of him. General Mollineaux was very kind to us, gave
us transportation to Savannah, by boat, and told us one would
leave that night. We hurried down to the river and saw the boat
about ready to start. She was loaded down with cotton and "con-
trabands." I wanted to go abroad, but Everhardt said that he
could not stand the trip on that crowded boat, and persuaded me
to wait until the next day. We waited, and this boat was pretty
nearly in the same condition as on the previous day, but we got on
board, and commenced a trip which occupied about two days.
When we got down the river about fifteen miles we saw the re-
mains of the boat that had started the day before, burned to the
water's edge.

A Scrap of Paper. 579

We arrived in Savannah and reported to the Provost Marshal,
who gave us the privilege of the town during that day and ordered
us to report the next morning, when we were to be taken to the
Convalescent Camp, outside of the city, and there await our turn
for transportation North. Dan and I wandered around the city —
tired, hungry and friendless — and finally sat down in the public
square to rest, with thoughts that were not of the most pleasant
character.

]\Iy comrade was quite a charge upon me. Neither one of u?
had a cent^^ and home and friends seemed farther off than ever.
As I sat there I mechanically picked up a piece of a newspaper.
It was only a small piece, but for want of something better to
do I commenced to read it. It seemed to be a part of a local
paper, it had nothing but advertisements on it. and it seemed to be
about a week old. However, I saw in the paper the list of arrivals
at the Pulaski House, the principal hotel of Savannah, and as
I read the list of names, and there were not many. I saw those of
two Philadeiphians — one of the same name as that of a gentleman
who lived a few doors from my own home, and a very particu-
lar friend of mv father, who was an extensive flour merchant on
Market Street.

I read the two names over again, and then I started to my feet,
for right in front of me I saw, on a large sign, the words "Pulaski
House." Dan saw my excitement in a moment, and said. "What
is the matter?" I said, "Wait here until I come back." and
walked over to the hotel into the clerk's office, and asked if Mr.
Alexander Hogg was stopping there? The clerk looked at me.
and said, "Yes, he is." I asked to see him. when the clerk called
a colored boy and sent him up to see if he was in, and in a few
minutes he was back with the message, "Show the gentleman up."

I was a pretty seedy-looking soldier. The crown of my old hat
was almost gone, the knees of my pantaloons were burned in holes
from standing around numerous camp fires, my boots were in the
same condition, and the only redeeming feature about my clothes
was that gay jacket of the Anderson Cavalry I wore.

I entered that room, occupied by two gentlemen, one busy
writing, the other with his feet elevated, enjoying a good cigar
and the necessarv refreshments in front of him. In an instant the

580 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

gentleman smoking had me by the hand. "Why, boy, what are
you doing here and in this phght ?" I\Iy story was soon told, and
I had eager listeners, and when I finished, my father's friend went
down in his pocket and pulled out a roll of greenbacks, and said,
"How much money do you want?" He tried to force a large
amount upon me, but I took only a small sum, and promised to
see him the next day. He wanted me to stop with him, but Dan was
waiting, and when I got out to him he wasn't in a very good humor
over my long absence, but when I showed him the greenbacks it
was all right. It was an orderly but hurried march to the nearest
restaurant, and we had one good square meal. The influence of
my friend put me on a good footing with the Provost, and pro-
cured us transportation to New York in a steamship that had just
been discharged from the Government service and was going
North without a cargo.

I was placed in charge of eighteen escaped Andersonville pris-
oners to report to the Provost Marshal at New York City. As 1
parted from my kind friend at the wharf he grasped my hand, and
I can see his kind, genial face now. "Tell my wife and daughters
that I will try and be with them on the Fourth of July," he said.

We sailed from Savannah June 14, 1865, in the steamer "Star-
light," and our voyage was not a very pleasant one. The men in
my charge were in a terrible condition — emaciated, sick, childish —
from long confinement and untold suffering. We met with little
consideration from those in charge of the ship, and I was com-
pelled to buy many things from the steward for their comfort.
W^e reached New York City in due time, and reported to the
Broome Street Barracks, where I delivered up my charge to the
Provost Marshal.

Naturally, I wanted to go home, but Dan and I were politely
told that we were consigned to Atlanta, and to Atlanta we must
go. I told the Captain that in all probability our Regiment was
then on its way home, but it did not make any difference, for tlie
Provost had made up his mind. So had I.

"Well, Captain," I asked, "can't you give me a pass until Mon-
day? I would like to go over to Brooklyn to see some of my
friends." The Provost sized me up. I stood the test, and he
ordered the clerk to give me a pass until Monday. It was Satur-
day, and near night, and T had not one cent. I had spent all the

A Scrap of Paper. 581

money on the Andersonville boys, for they needed it. I had an
old silver watch that I had carried through the war, and I went
down along the Bowery, where I saw a second-hand clothes man
standing at the door. I took out my watch and asked him if he
would lend me three dollars on it. He laughed at me. I told him
I wanted to go home to Philadelphia and that I would redeem it
the next week. He said he had heard that story before, but as I
turned to go away he said, looking at me, "Where are you from ?"
I told my story briefly, and the Jew handed me the three dollars
and took the watch.

I reached the city of Brotherly Love about day-break Sunday
morning, and I counted the steps from Third and Berks Streets to
Fifth and Wharton Streets. I pass over the home scenes that only
a returned soldier can appreciate. I took off my uniform that day
for the last time. Next morning took the train for New York. I
interviewed my friend the Jew, aiid got my watch. We spent some
■time together, and then I started for the Broome Street Barracks.

I waited around for a while before I could see my friend Dan,
but finally he hobbled out and down the steps into the street, and
stood around like convalescent soldiers do. I went up to him,
but he didn't know me at first — the barber and the citizen's clothes
had disguised me. We went aside, and I tried to persuade him
to go hom.e with me. I offered to send him to his home at Altoona,
but he would not go. We spent some time together, shook hands
and parted, and I have never seen him from that day to this.

I went home, visited the family of my good friend Hogg, and
delivered his message and made their hearts glad ; but two days
after they received a dispatch from Savannah informing them
that the husband and father, who had been so kind to me, had
been drowned in the Savannah River the day before. As I look
back over that eventful experience, and think how I was preserved
through so many trials and dangers, my heart wells up in grati-
tude to the Great Father of us all for his mercy and goodness
toward me.

It is forty years ago since then, but that scrap of paper announc-
ing the arrivals at the Pulaski House, May 27, 1865, the order for
transportation from Augusta to Savannah and the order for trans-
portation from Savannah to New York are still in my possession,
and sacredly kept.

A RACE FOR LIFE.

FIRST LIEUT. JOHN A. COXAWAY, A.A.D.C, PHILADELPHIA.

OX [May I, 1865, while with the First Cavalry Division, De-
partment of East Tennessee, General Palmer commanding,
on the march and within about twenty miles of Anderson
Court House, in north-western South Carolina, I was sent by the
General on whose staff I was Acting Aide-de-Camp, with impor-
tant dispatches to Colonel Betts, commanding our Regiment, then
in the vicinity of Abbeville, and Captain Taylor, who with a com-
pany detailed from the column was guarding a ford on the Saluda
River.

We were then searching for Jefferson Davis.

I had been frequently sent with dispatches by the General pre-
vious to this since leaving Knoxville, but these impressed me as
being very important, as the General had furnished me with a
hastily drawn map of the roads, remarking as he did so that these
orders must be delivered without fail. A detail of about thirty men
of the Tenth Michigan was placed under my command, and Corp.
J. P. Fullerton, of our own Regiment, was ordered to go with me.

I was to take a road south of Anderson Court House that would
lead me to crossroads a few miles farther on where I was to
use my best judgment in properly disposing of my small force,
so as to insure the delivery of the dispatches.

On reaching the crossroads, a small place of three or four
houses and a country store, I made some inquiry as to the direc-
tion of the roads, the nature of the country and if anything new
had been heard in that neighborhood. The information obtained
was that a regiment of rebels, mostly boys or young men, a por-
tion of them armed, had within an hour passed south on the road
to Abbeville, S. C, toward Colonel Betts' command. It was said
that they had just left a training school somewhere nearby, one
which the South had intended should be somewhat similar to West
Point.

582

A Race for Life. 583

Of course, I concluded that the most danger was in the direc-
tion of Colonel Betts, so I sent the largest number of men, under
Corporal Fullerton, to take the dispatch to him, and all of those
remaining, excepting four, to Captain Taylor. The dispatches
were safely delivered. The orders were for both Betts and
Taylor with their commands to join the main column at Anderson
Court House at once, which they did the next day. With the four
retained men (of the Tenth Michigan) I then started to find the
column.

There was talk at that time that Basil Duke w^ith a force of 2000
rebel cavalry had volunteered to escort Davis across the Missis-
sippi River.

On the morning of the day these dispatches were given to me I
delivered to General Brown, of Michigan, who commanded one of
our brigades, an order that he should advance as far as Anderson
Court House and then send out scouting parties to obtain all the
information possible as to the whereabouts of Davis and his
escort.

In making our way from the crossroads toward Anderson
Court House we did not realize that there was any danger, and I
did not suppose there was a force of the enemy of any consequence
within many miles. As we rode along we came to a thick woods,
which obscured for a time our view of a lane leading up to a hill
on our left. I had passed this lane a short distance ahead of the
four men, when one of them called out to me, "Lieutenant, some
men are on this road to the left ; did you see them ?" I said, "Yes,
I see them now ; we will halt and find out who they are." On the
top of the hill I first saw about ten mounted men, and between the
legs of the horses I could see others coming up. until there were
probably thirty or forty of them, not drawn up in any order what-
ever, but merely clustered at the top of the hill.

It was a bright, sunny day. I knew that the orders to General
Brown were to scout the country, and it was so clear that I could
see these men distinctly, and I felt sure they were some of our
own command. I then challenged them. They answered back,
"Who are you?" Well, I wanted to be a little careful, and my
reply was, "First brigade." "We don't believe you," they said;
"send a man out." I turned to the Michigan Sergeant who w^as
one of the four men. and said to him, "Sergeant, send out one of

584 History of the fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

your men; these are undoubtedly a portion of our command."
"Oh!" he says. "I will go myself." So he quietly walked his horse
until he got very close to them, and they were near enough for
us to hear one of them say, "Yes, all right; we will take your
carbine." The Sergeant took off his carbine and handed it over.
I then said to the three men left with me, "These are rebels ! — we
must get out of here at once."

The next thing was a yell and a volley, and on they came down
the hill in direct charge upon us. Two of my men were struck
at the first fire and fell from their horses. I took the road, as I
supposed for Anderson Court House, galloping as hard as my
horse could run, in a shower of bullets and closely pursued.

It had been my custom when on duty of this kind to look around
among the men with me, and select the one riding the best horse
and entrust the dispatches, knowing their character, to him tem-
porarily. When starting this time I concluded I had the best
horse. He had been taken from a stable in Rutherfordton a day
or two before, and I felt pretty safe on his back — he carried
me safely on this occasion.

The pursuit was kept up for one or two miles — exactly how far
I do not know. I gained a good advance, galloping down the
hills, jumping the gullies and then walking up the opposite hill,
but every time I looked back there was, as I supposed, a rebel
coming after me.

Let me describe the appearance of this supposed rebel. He
w^as about nineteen years old, wore a broad-brimmed hat, a boiled
shirt and a rebel coat he had picked up somewhere on the road,
so although he was one of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry he didn't
look much like a Union soldier.

He kept following me, and I kept on getting away from him
as fast as I could. I did not know exactly where I was going,
but in a short time I reached a grove in front of a large house and
turned in there for safety. There were two cavalry horses tied to
the fence in front of the house. With my pistol drawn I called
out, "Who is in there?" The answer was a couple of heads stuck
out of the door in an inquiring sort of a way. I saw at once that
they were our men, and I yelled, "Get out of there and mount
your horses ! the rebels will soon be on you," and then I turned and
waited for this supposed rebel to come up ; which he did, but in

A Race for Life. 585

not much of a hurry, and when within about 100 yards I called
on him to halt, but he paid no attention to my command. A little
nearer he came, and I leveled my pistol, intending to fire, when he
threw up his hands and exclaimed, "Lieutenant, don't shoot me ! I
am one of your men." I am thankful to this day that I did not
shoot.

The main column was soon reached, and surprising to me, it
was not a quarter of a mile distant. The road led through a dense
woods, and I soon found myself near the rear of the column. I
struck the mule train, where they were jumping for life to keep up,
as was always the case with 5000 cavalrv on the march.

GETTING HOME FROM ATHENS, GA.

LIEUT. A. B. COLEMAN, COMPANY L, PHILADELPHIA.

I PARTED from Comrade Cozens at Athens, Ga. The war
being at an end and I unable to travel, the Regiment, going to
Atlanta on their way home, had left me at Athens. I was
completely broken up by sickness and the hardships of the cam-
paign, but was endeavoring as best I could to make my way home.

As far as I knew I was the only man who wore the Union uni-
form left in the town. Mr. Kirkpatrick, who lived opposite the
University buildings, and who had two sons in the Confederate
army, was very good to me, as were his whole family. Company L,
to which I belonged, had been encamped on the sidewalk of the
University, with our horses fastened to the trees. On our arrival
at Athens, Mr. Kirkpatrick came across the street to where we
were, and through his kindness I was enabled to get out of the
weather to a good resting place on the shed floor. Although he
offered me a good bed, my sanitary and physical condition was
such that I declined accepting such a luxury. I do not believe I
had changed my underclothing for six weeks before our arrival at
Athens.

The opportunity now arrived for me to get out of the town on
my way home, and I soon availed myself of the offer.

The train started for Augusta, Ga., on a beautiful spring morn-
ing. It was filled with Confederates on their way to their once
happy homes. How dejected they looked ! although they appeared
to have plenty of friends to see them off. I fared well with the
good things that were handed in — loads of corn bread, molasses,
etc. I shall never forget the kindness of those poor fellows. We
had a good time on the way. On the second seat in front of me sat
General Wheeler and a number of other officers who had been
prominent in the lost cause. We arrived safely at Augusta after
an all-day journey of about loo miles, having left Athens at lo
o'clock. As far as I know I was the only Union soldier aboard
5S6

Getting Home from Athens, Ga. 587

the cars. That trip was a free passage to all men who wore a uni-
form— Union or Confederate, clean or dirty.

It was sundown when we arrived. Although I was not hungry,
I felt like a miserable creature — tired, ragged and lousy, with no
money, and looking for any hole in which to hide myself. Passing
along the street I stopped in front of an old frame church, lit up
by candles. Two men were sitting at the top of a stairway at the
front, and as I looked up longingly they invited me up. I was
tired of walking and glad to get somewhere. I told them I had no
money, but they passed me in. It was a minstrel show that was to
come off, and the house was filled with Confederates. A Colonel
sat next to me. Few of the men in the place were in any better
condition than I was.

The first announcement — there were no programs — was a song,
something in reference to the lost cause, by an ex-Confederate.
All the actors were ex-Confederates with their old uniforms on.
He sang well, and the Colonel began crying, for he was very much
affected by the song. The man disappeared from the stage, and
the Colonel turned and excused himself to me, saying he "couldn't
stand any more of that." He told me he had lived over the moun-
tains, had arrived in town that day and had met a friend of his,
who told him that all that remained of his house and barn were
two chimneys where the house had been. It was terrible to think
what they had gone through and what was still in store for them.

I came out of that place and walked about a mile, when I dis-
covered a colored woman in front of her house. After hearing
my tale of woe, she called her husband, w^ho invited me in. The
shed floor was my resting place. For breakfast I received corn
.bread and "Jeff cofifee," for which I was very thankful.

As far as business was concerned the city of Augusta appeared
to me to be done for. There were many ex-Confederates in the
town, and all seemed to have trouble getting to their homes. In the
afternoon I had seen Jeff Davis passing through the town, under
guard — I suppose going North.

I got away from Augusta without any trouble, and arrived
at Savannah the same day, just in time to catch a steamer for
Fortress Monroe. It was loaded with English and other foreign
officers, freight, etc. These officers generally had been on the
staffs of rebel officers, and were on their way to their respective

588 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

countries. I overheard one of them remark that if he "could get
out of the country without putting his foot on Northern soil he
would be perfectly satisfied."

I again fared well, and again it was a colored woman who was
my benefactor. She was peeling potatoes in the cook-house on the
ship. The old mammy took good care of me, and gave me plenty
to eat and a shakedown on some barrels under cover. Soon we
were on the ocean. The Captain of the vessel spied me and inter-
viewed me.

In a few days we arrived at Fortress Monroe, and I soon found
myself in Washington, where I got transportation for home —
'"Home, sweet home."

THE "FIFTEENTH" AT GENERAL JOE JOHNSTON'S
SURRENDER.

ARTHUR O. GRANGER, COMPANY C, CARTERSVILLE, GA.

THE Stone River campaign during the last days of 1862 and
the first of 1863 was a severe strain on me. I was in my
seventeenth year at that time, and lack of the knowledge to
properly prepare my food was the cause of my being sent to the
hospital to be treated for typhoid fever and some other complaints.
Improperly prepared food caused more deaths than rebel bullets,
and in our Regiment, which was made up of young men, prin-
cipally, the death rate from this cause was very great.

I was a very sick boy when I was sent to Hospital No. i, at
Murfreesboro. There were six of us, all desperately ill, in a
small second-story room, facing the square. The door to the hall
was kept open for ventilation. It was a common thing to see the
nurses carrying out the poor fellows who had died. They
were simply wrapped in a blanket, thrown over the shoulders,
with feet dangling down in front, and head behind, and
taken to the dead house. Even in these duties the usual
care of seeing that the patients were reallv dead was not always
taken, for in one of our hospitals a soldier was carried out and
put in the deadroom, and a few hours after another was taken
down, and the astonished burden bearer found the one he had
carried down before, sitting up and asking for his medicine. I
was here six weeks before I could walk around the hall, and soon
after, thinking I had more strength than I really had, I started
to go downstairs and out to the square in front, but the little
strength I had was all gone by the time I got to the foot of the
stairs and I had to sit down and rest before I could crawl back
to my bunk again. This "bedstead" was made of rough boards,
the size of a cot. The slats ran crosswise and were several inches
apart and a single folded blanket was the mattress. Our clothes
were our pillows.

589

590 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

I was the only one of my Regiment in this hospital. Back in
Nashville there had been a large detachment of unfortunates in
the hospitals there, but these were coming back to the Regiment.
Now that warmer weather had set in the boys in camp were
recovering their old spirits under its influences and the changes
that were taking place. The Regiment was then just outside of
Murfreesboro reorganizing, drilling, and doing some scout duty
in which they met with good success. By the time I was fit to
take my old place in its ranks, the hospital authorities discovered
that I wrote a good, legible hand and detailed me for light duty
of a clerical character, and when my Regiment started off on the
Tullahoma campaign I was the chief clerk in the hospital. I
filled this position for about a year till David F. How, my mess-
mate in Company "E," received an appointment as First Lieu-
tenant in the Tenth Missouri, and was appointed on the staff of
General Elliot, commanding the cavalry. He got me detailed at
once as clerk at cavalry headquarters. Before I commenced my
duties there, a telegraphic order was received for me to report
to General Sherman's headquarters and I at once started for
Kingston, Ga. It was only a few days after I arrived at Sher-
man's headquarters that we started from Atlanta, on November
i6, 1864, on his march to the sea. Several of the Anderson
Cavalry were along, but my duties were such that I was not
thrown in contact with them. J. Geo. Henvis, of Company H,
was one. Part of the time he rode a mule and may have played
an important part. John Walter, of Company K, was another.
At the battle of Resaca he so distinguished himself in carrying
dispatches on our fourteen-mile line of battle, as to merit the
commendation of General Sherman, who personally asked him
to be his private orderly and was retained in that position till
July, 1865, when he was discharged. It was Walter who took
the verbal order from General Sherman to General John A.
Logan, to take command of General McPherson's Corps after that
General had been killed in battle. A staif officer generally does
v/ork of that kind, but just then time was an important object.
It was a question of minutes and Sherman took the best he had
for a messenger. J. Reese Moore, Company M, was in our signal
corps, and before the campaign closed had charge of the signal
men at headquarters. This march of Sherman's was no hap-

The "Fifteenth" at General Joe Johnston's Surrender. 591

hazard affair, but had been .carefully planned long before it was
carried out. The General had posted himself as to the agricul-
tural products of the various counties, and in his marches avoided
those in which cotton predominated. Corn, sweet potatoes and
pork were what he wanted, as only a small supply of provisions
was in the wagons. No sooner had we started than the darkies
came flocking to our camps, and while many made themselves
useful as cooks, servants and teamsters, their number became
so great before we reached Savannah as to become a nuisance.
Three or four days after we started, our chief signal officer,
Captain Becktel, sent up several rockets to let the other corps
know where General Sherman was. The rockets were large and
of the best and made* a fine display. But most of our darkies
had never seen any, and instead of enjoying the sight it filled
them with the utmost terror. Our cook was washing dishes at
the time, but dropped everything and ran for the bushes ; others
hid in wagons and tremulously asked "what them things were?*'
Even the mules and horses were frightened, and it would not
have taken much more to have gotten up a stampede.

It was not until after we reached Savannah that I was made
confidential clerk to General Sherman. This was a most interest-
ing position to occupy, for I was behind the scenes, as it were,
and knew all the movements of our army and what the General
expected to accomplish by the various marches of the different
corps of his army, separated as they were by long distances.
General Sherman was exceedingly kind and considerate to those
with him, and while at all times he was the superior officer,
he had a flattering manner of saying nice things in such a
way as endeared him to you. He always had a good opinion
of our Regiment, but the official dispatch which we received on
January 21, 1865, telling of the capture of General Hood's pon-
toon and wagon train, raised us still higher in his estimation. He
talked to John Walter about the Regiment and said "it was the
best one in his Department; they can ride faster, do more hard
fighting and capture more wagon trains than anv regiment in
my command." On the march to the sea he slept on a cot, but
on the Carolina campaign baggage was reduced to a minimum
and there were no cots or such luxuries. There was one large
tent at headquarters for an office, and that is where T slept. The

592 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

records were kept in a stout chest, with folding legs and two Hds,
which, when opened out, made two writing tables. I have more
than once wakened up at night to find the General sitting in his
nightclothes at the desk, on a camp-stool stretched across my
feet, poring over a map by the light of a candle. Often I asked
him, "Can I do anything for you, General?" and his usual reply
was, "No, go to sleep. Granger. You need all the rest you can
get." I have frequently looked out of the office tent during the
night, and seen General Sherman walking up and down in front
of the camp-fire, bareheaded, in his red drawers and slippers,
and always smoking. The anxiety of the campaign and the great
responsibility kept him from, sleeping. I do not think that, on
our marches, he averaged more than four hours sleep per night.
He was always the last to bed and the first up in the morning, and
most any time in the night could be found either in the tent or at
the camp-fire.

In preparing orders for the next day's march, the General
would study over his maps and draft out the distance to be
traveled and the line of march for the two wings of the army
under Howard and Slocum. I would then write out an order
addressed to each of these Generals, to be signed by Colonel Day-
ton, Asst. Adjutant General, and couriers would be dispatched
with them. These orders would go down to army corps, division,
brigade and regimental commanders, often not reaching the latter
till long after midnight.

At Columbia, S. C, the contingent of Anderson's (Fifteenth
Pennsylvania) cavalrymen in Sherman's army was increased by
the arrival of Joe Rue. who was a member of my old company in
the Regiment. Joe had been captured over a year before, in East
Tennessee, but had escaped and hid in Columbia just before our
army reached there and, as he had nothing to eat for several days,
was overjoyed to be with friends again.

On March 15th, the rebel General Rhett was captured by
Sergeant Jos. W. Range and four men of the Tenth Ohio Cav-
alry. This regiment had been with us in Sequatchie Valley and
in the winter campaign in East Tennessee, so cur feeling for them
was a tender one. Range and his men were "bummers" out for
forage and scouting when they heard the sound of firing not
far ofif, and curiosity impelled them to get nearer to see what

The "Fifteenth" at General Joe Johnston's Snrrender. 593

was going on. Range's squad were dressed in an odd fashion.
Only one man had a complete U. S. uniform, while the Sergeant
had on a suit of black broadcloth, which he had picked up a day
or two before. The others had the look of Confederate soldiers.
As they drew near to the firing they saw a line of rebel skirmish-
ers engaeed with those from Kilpatrick's cavalry. Back of them
was the rebel line of battle. Two officers were riding at a walk
from the skirmishers to the line of battle, and Range said quietly
to his men, "Let's get them." Riding slowly, at a walk, his party
intercepted the officers and gave the military salute when they met
but quietly got around the two and suddenly covered them with
their revolvers, seized the bridle-reins and passed them over the
heads of the captured horses, and galloped ofif with their prisoners,
General Rhett and his Adjutant-General. This was his first and
last battle. He had been one of those fiery orators that had done
yeoman service in bringing on the war, but when the fighting com-
menced had kept out of harm's way. He had been "invincible
in peace and invisible in war."

It was not till the 15th of April, after we had received the news
of Lee's surrender, that General Joe Johnston, in our front, gave
any indications that the time had come for his army to quit, too.
At that date a dispatch came from him, through General Kilpat-
rick, asking for a cessation of hostilities and a personal interview,
which was arranged to take place near Durham Station on the
17th. General Sherman took his staff officers and three or four
orderlies, among whom was John Walter. I was the only clerk
along. At General Kilpatrick's headquarters horses were fur-
nished us and we rode through our lines with a flag of truce at
the head of the column. General Johnston was met about four
miles out from Durham Station, riding along the road with a
portion of his staff, and also flying a flag of truce. The two
Generals shook hands with each other and rode back to the house
of a Mr. Bennett, where they went into a room by themselves
and talked for an hour. Our men mingled with the rebel cavalry.
They were pretty bitter and the officers haughty. The Generals
arrived at no conclusion that day, as General Johnston wanted to
see Secretary of War Breckenridge again and obtain authority to
include all Confederate armies in the surrender. I had a good
opportunity to observe Generals Johnston and Wade Hampton.

38

594 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

They were both in full dress uniforms of gray cloth. Johnston
was a full General and his badge of rank was three stars in a row,
on each end of his coat collar. The stars are supposed to be
silver, and the outside ones are half-encircled by a wreath of gold.

The next day the two Generals, Sherman and Johnston, met
again at the same place. Soon afterwards General Johnston
sent one of his staff officers back to his lines for Mr. Brecken-
ridge, the rebel Secretary of War, Major General C. S. A.,
and ex- Vice-President of the United States. I recognized him
at once from photographs I had seen. He was a good speci-
men of a real Southerner. His clothes looked rather seedy,
but he was haughty and his manner was proud. General
Sherman would only consent to see him in his character of a
general officer, and would not recognize his as Secretary of
War. The conference lasted several hours, and Breckenridge
returned to the rebel lines. Terms were finally agreed upon,
and Sherman appeared at the doorway, bareheaded, calling
"Granger." I quickly' responded. He introduced me to General
Johnston and told me to make two copies of the agreement, and
while I wrote the two commanders talked interestingly, and I did
so wish that I could have listened to them. The agreements being
finished, they were signed by both, first by General Sherman and
then by General Johnston, after which both parties returned to
their respective armies, for we had to wait until the agreement
could be ratified by the authorities at Washington.

The Confederacy was now fast breaking up. The rebels had
some hope till Lee surrendered, but since that event deserters from
their cause were flocking to our lines, while many of those still in
arms started a promiscuous pillage of their own people. A
little later the Mayor of Louisburg, N. C., sent in some of
the members of his council and formally surrendered that place
to General Sherman, and at the same time asked for a guard to
protect them from rebel cavalry.

On April 24th, Lieutenant-General Grant arrived at our head-
ciuarters. I heard him tell Sherman that Lee had surrendered
over 26,000 men ; that their killed and wounded were upwards
of 20,000, and that he had captured in battle some 23,000, and
also said that his loss was not over 15,000 in killed, wounded
and m.issing. General Grant's special mission was to report that

The "Fifteenth" at General Joe Johnston's Snrrender. 595

the agreement for the surrender of Johnston's army was disal-
lowed by the Washington authorities. General Sherman at once
notified the rebel commander and demanded the surrender of the
army on the same terms as were granted General Lee by General
Grant.

On April 26th, Sherman and Johnston again met at Mr. Ben-
nett's house and the surrender of his army was consummated.
We had to wait for General Johnston, but as soon as he arrived
the two Generals went in together and, after consulting for an
hour, General Schofield was called in and, at the dictation of Gen-
eral Sherman, drew up the terms of capitulation, which were the
same as Grant had given General Lee. After General Sherman
had written the terms and they had been read to the two chiefs.
General Sherman called for me and directed that I make two
copies, one for General Johnston and the other for himself. Each
copy was signed by the two Generals, and my share of the sur-
render was the pen and holder and inkstand, which I still possess.
I tried to purchase from Mr. Bennett the table cover on which
the writing was done, but the old fellow could not be induced to
part with it.

The total of officers and men surrendered by General Johnston
was over 89,000; 36,817 were in our front and the balance dis-
tributed in Georgia and Florida. At the consummation of this
great event, the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry had a greater
representation present than any volunteer regiment in the service,
for John Walter, of Company K, stood just outside the door while
I was inside writing the official copy.

OUR REGIMEXT— IX WAR AND PEACE.

Hatboro, Pa., Sept. i, 1905.

ON the afternoon of the twenty-first of June. 1865, the
Regiment officially closed its term of service in the
Army of the United States, at Nashville, Tenn. The
companies were paraded without arms and marched to the
rear of the Colonel's quarters and formed in column of com-
panies. J\Iajor Hough, the mustering officer, then commenced
on the right of the line and called each man's name, who, as he
answered, "Here," stepped three paces to the front, and wheti
all remaining of a company recruited in 1862 had answered, they
were declared mustered out of service.

After all the companies w^ere disposed of, the officers were
formed in line and took an oath that they had furnished returns
for all the stores committed to their care and that they were
not further accountable, and the mustering officer then declared
them out of service, and the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry as
an organization ceased to exist ; to be thereafter only a memory.

But the recollections of the achievements of that . organiza-
tion cannot fail to be of much satisfaction to all who participated
therein. The preceding pages of this book have told only what
was done by those in the field with the carbine and sabre, but the
armies of the Cumberland and Tennessee felt the influence of
the brains and the clerical experience of many of those who made
up the rank and file of our Regiment. In almost every department
some of "ours" were detailed for headc|uarter office duty, and
although most stringent efforts were made to have these men re-
turned to the Regiment, in many cases it was found to be im-
possible, as the character of the work they did was so valuable that
no one else could be found to fill their places.

Simeon Lord, of Company E, as Sergeant of Couriers at armv
headquarters, had charge of all courier lines throughout the
Armv of the Cumberland. This is a position of great responsi-
bility, requiring good judgment and great ability, and no better
soldier was ever found to take his place.

The clerical work of an army is carried on by report from
596

Our Rci:;iiiiciif — /';/ ll'ar and Peace. 597

subordinate commanders showing the exact number of efficient
men in the various arms of the service and also the number in
hospitals and unfit for duty on account of sickness or wounds.
These are daily reports, so that the commanding officer may
know at all times the number of men he can put in a line of
battle. There were also reports from every division, brigade, and
regiment of infantry and cavalry and batteries of artillery, show-
ing in detail their condition. Also reports from the ordnance,
quartermaster, and commissary departments showing at a glance
the amount of stock each has on hand. There was also a large
amount of correspondence between the different commanders,
many of these in cipher, and all had to be written out with pen and
then recopied in books.

In our command was a large number of young men of superior
education whose previous employment well fitted them to fill these
positions and the heads of the various departments were not long
in finding it out. Nothing shows the quality of the men composing
our Regiment more than the fact that eighty-six of them received
commissions — forty-five in our own Regiment and forty-one in
other commands. Ours was a unique Regiment in that it was
distinguished as the only independent regiment (so far as known)
in an army of over one million men. Our reports were made
direct to the Department Commander during our term of service.

George Q. Allen, Company L ; Samuel Kneass, Company K ;
George Howard, Company L ; and Frank Taek, Company L, were
detailed at Headquarters under the direct charge of the Chief of
Staff. During the Atlanta campaign, in addition to their usual
duties, they had clerical charge of all orders to different com-
manders for the movements of the Army of the Cumberland,
which work usually occupied most of the night.

A copy of the agreement of the final capitulation of General Joe
Johnston to General Sherman was written by one of the "Fif-
teenth," Arthur O. Granger, of Company C, as also the famous
"armistice" which was disallowed by our government. To General
Corse, at Altoona, was wigwagged the message to "hold the fort"
by A. D. Frankenberry, of Company K, detailed from our ranks to
the signal corps. The War Department at Washington called on
General Geo. H. Thomas for the best clerk in his army and John
Tweedale, Company I, was sent. His abilities earned for him

598 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

continuous promotions and he has lately retired with the rank
of Colonel U. S. A. and Militar}' Secretary. Many of the re-
sponsible subordinate positions in all the various departments of
the army were filled by our men. It was a positive gain to the
cause but a loss to the Regiment in the field, for they were of
that quality that makes the intelligent soldier — the kind we needed
for our work. It was this quality in the men that caused General
Geo. H. Thomas to indorse on the application of the regiment to
re-enlist that "The Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry is the best
regiment of cavalry in my Department." A further proof of the
rank in which our organization was held is found in the volumi-
nous report of Lieut. General U. S. Grant detailing the operations
of all the armies during the last eighteen months of the war. In
this report he specially mentions only four regiments and one of
these is the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Forty years have passed since our muster out in June, 1865,
and the positions held in the business world attest the excellent
qualities of those who made up our rank and file. Soon after
the Regiment was disbanded an association was formed of those
who had seen service in it and it has been the custom to meet
once a year to talk over the events that bound us so closely
and to renew old friendships. The proceedings of these meet-
ings have always been printed in pamphlet form and a copy sent
to each member, so that all could, in a way, participate in our
annual gathering. Probably no regimental association has
been like it in the care that has been taken to keep up the
interest and accurately report the proceedings. Our Survivors'
Association is certainly unsurpassed in this respect by that of any
regiment.

There is hardly an honorable profession but what has some
members of our command in it. The law called many, and two,
Capt. H. K. Weand, Company H, and James W. Over,
Company G, are judges in the courts held in their respective
counties. Quite a large number have entered the ministry in
different churches, and are laboring earnestly that this world
may be better for their work in it. Among those the writer
recalls are Edward Cornes, Company E; John H. Sharp, Com-
pany G ; Johnson Hubbell, Company A ; David Clark, Company
B; W. H. Graff, Company F; Charles B. Newton, Company F;
Eugene Reed, Company M ; and there are no doubt others. Six
of the Resriment entered the resfular armv and obtained rank from

Our Regiment — in War and Peace. 599

that of Captain up to Lieutenant Colonel ; these are Samuel
J. Hamilton, Company B ; John Tvveedale, Company I ; Charles
B. Thompson, Company K; H. C. Fisher, Company C;
Adam Kramer, Company M, and Jno. G. Bourke, Company E.
Three have been Colonels of regiments in the National Guard of
Pennsylvania: A. L. Hawkins, -Company I; Norman M. Smith,
Company D, and W. A. Kreps, Company G.

Our peerless organizer and leader. General Wm. J. Palmer,
has been a pioneer and builder up in that part of this grand con-
tinent, which, forty years ago, was known as the great American
desert. His has been a strenuous life and the only encouragement
he seemed toi have had was the pleasure of surmounting diffi-
culties, which looked insurmountable to others. He has been
directly interested in the building of over five thousand miles of
railroads and millions have been benefited! by the work he did
and no one, whoever trusted in him,- has been the loser by it.

Three of our members, A. J. Minor, Company H ; Jas. E.
Negus, Company M, and Wm. H. Carpenter, Company C, have
been or are presidents of banks or trust companies, while many
others have served as directors or employees of fiduciary institu-
tions, and not one has ever been delinquent to the trust reposed
in him. In the list of physicians are found M. P. Frassoni, Com-
pany B ; M. J. Paulding, Company G ; Geo. C. Laws, Company C ;
Perle J. Aiken, Company F; E. L. Palmer, Company G; E. G.
Shortledge, Company G ; P. C. Newbaker, Company K ; John S.
Cooper, Company E, and our Assistant Surgeon, Geo. F. Mish;
the Hospital Steward, W. G. Stewart, and James W. Alexander,
Surgeon of the Regiment.

One of our First Sergeants, Wilmon W. Blackmar, Company K,
after the Chickamauga battle, received a commission in a West
Virginia regiment, continuing with it to the end of the war and
winning well-earned promotion from time to time. Since then
his success has been continuous in every thing he undertook and
at the National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic,
held in 1904, he was chosen Commander-in-Chief. That organi-
zation never had a more capable and strenuous commander. The
task he set for himself was greater than he could carry out and
on July 15, 1905, at Boise City, Idaho, he was taken sick and died,
just as he w^ould have wished to go, "in the harness." On July
22d, his city — Boston — gave him a public funeral and thousands
followed him to the grave.

6oo History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

The foregoing list could be made much longer by adding to it
those of others who have achieved successes in the particular
spheres of life-work they have chosen, but it is sufficient to show
that no more reputable body of citizens can be found than those
who served in the Anderson Cavalry.

Chas. M. Betts,
Lieut.-Coloncl i^tli Penna. Cavalry.

PLAN OF THE FORMATION OF THE ANDERSON
TROOP.

THIS plan of the formation of the "Anderson Troop" and
the letter following it were received from Isaac H. Clothier,
Esq., a life-long friend of General Palmer's. Similar letters
and plans were sent to prominent men throughout the State and
they show the care taken to secure the best and most suitable men
to make up the organization. When the Regiment, which grew
out of "The Troop" was recruited, it was the members of the latter
command who were the recruiting officers and took pains to see
that the men they secured were the equal of those who were al-
ready in the field. — Editor.

PLAN.

"The Anderson Troop."

A picked body of light cavalry from Pennsylvania — composed
of young men of respectability, selected from nearly every county
of the state.

The men to be light, active and hardy and more or less ac-
quainted with horses — and to be chosen for these qualities, and for
their intelligence, good character and patriotic spirit.

Each man to pledge himself not to touch intoxicating liquor
(except for medical purposes) during the term of enlistment.

Particular attention to be paid to drill, the ambition of each
member of the company being to make it as soon as possible, a
model light troop, as the "Chicago Zouaves" were a model light
infantry company. It is believed that this may be accomplished
ill a comparatively short time, with good instructors, from the su-
perior intelligence and entthusiasm of the men.

The special duty of the troop (in addition to service on the field
of battle) will be to perform detachment service of all kinds in
Brigadier General Anderson's Department — to serve as escort or
Body Guard to the General when desired — make reconnoissances
— escort trains and convoys — make arrests — seize Railroads, etc.
— perform advanced-post or patrol duty ; and generally, to be at-
tached to the General for the performance of any special service
required by him involving delicacy or danger.

601

6o2 History of the Fifteenth Pciuisyh'ania Cavalry.

If desired a squad of men from the railroads of Pennsylvania
with telegraph operators, etc., will be included in the company to
expediate the transportation of troops and supplies, and repair and
operate railroads that it may be necessary to seize or control in the
prosecution of the campaign in Iventucky and Tennessee.

The advantages of such a corps for the various duties above
specified, would be unusual intelligence, trustworthiness on duty,
nervous energy and courage, and patriotic spirit. While the
members would be gentlemen, they would be of the kind who
would feel proud to submit to the strictest military discipline,
hard drill, and any hardships uncomplainingly for the sake of their
country, they will go determined to take everything roughly,
and nothing like dandyism or dissipation will be tolerated.

Arms — to be a light sabre, Colt's revolver worn on the person,
and (in consequence of the detached character of the service)
a rifled carbine slung to the shoulder.

Accoutrements so arranged that sabre can be hung to saddle,
when trooper dismounts to serve on foot.

The horses to be got in central Kentucky and to be light, active
and hardy.

The command to be given to such person (of cavalry experience
if possible) as General Anderson may select. The remaining offi-
cers and non-commissioned officers to be elected by the company
after it shall have been filled up.

Respectfully submitted,

Wm. J. Palmer,

of Philada.

Approved by Brigadier General Robert Anderson
at Louisville, Sept. 20, 1861.

Office
Pennsylvania Railroad Company,
Philadelphia, Sept. 24, 1861.
Dear Sir:

I take the liberty of inclosing to you herewith a plan for the organi-
zation of a picked company of light cavalry composed of Pennsyl-
vanians, which Brigadier General Anderson has requested the War De-
partment to accept as an independent corps for special service in the "De-
partment of the Cumberland." The company will be called the "Ander-
son Troop," and will be under the immediate eye of the General Com-
manding— its special duties being those of a Body Guard to General An-
derson, to make reconnoisances, escort trains, make arrests, and perform
such other service of a detached character as he may assign it.

In the letter which he has furnished me to the War Department, the
General says "I particularly desire the acceptance of this Company, and
I will be obliged if the Department will give such facilities to Mr. Palmer
as will enable him to perfect its organization in the shortest possible

FIRST LT. JOHN F. CONAWAV FIRST LT. CHAS. S.

FIRST LT. CHAS. H. KIRK

CAPT. H. K. WEAND CORP. SMITH 0. COZENS

HISTORICAL COMMITTEE

Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 1862-1865

FIRST LT JOHN F. CONAWAV ^^^^^^^^^^^ FIRST LT- CHAS. S

RST LT. CHAS.

CAPT. H. K. WEAND CORP. SMITH D. COZENS

HISTORICAL COMMITTEE

Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 1906

Plan of the Formation of the Anderson Troop. 603

time. Such a corps will be almost indispensable to me in conducting the
campaign which is already opened in my Department."

After this earnest statement of his wants, it is not doubted that the
Department will unhesitatingly accept the company. I shall proceed
immediately to Washington to secure this result, and to procure the
requisite orders for the mounting, arriving, and equipping of the men,
but not to lose any time I have addressed this note to you as a gentleman
of influence, and one well acquainted in your section of the State to ask
that you will aid me in making this corps one that will fairly represent
the intelligence, respectabilit}^ and patriotic spirit of the young men from
Pennsylvania. The honor and fair name of the State will be in its keeping
in the campaign in Kentucky and Tennessee — it is therefore desired that
its ranks should be filled with the very best of our youth, taking physical
as well as moral considerations into view. The troop will be commanded
by an officer to be appointed by General Anderson — the Lieutenants and
non-commissioned officers to be elected by a fair vote of the company
after it shall have been formed. It will be as much a matter of pride
however to be a private as an officer in this troop — and no member
will be bound by his acceptance, unless he chooses, until after he has
seen his comrades, and been mustered into service.

As soon as eighty-five men have been accepted, they will be sent to
Louisville, Ky. — the remainder of the troop to be selected from the coun-
ties of the state which may not at first have responded, and for which
more time will be admissible.

It is not expected however that more than a week or ten days will be
required for the enlistment of no men in the State of Pennsylvania,
of the character referred to, in response to this call and most flattering
compliment from the gallant hero of Fort Sumter. And let Pennsyl-
vania show by this little contribution, if in no other way, her apprecia-
tion of and desire to repay the debt which the West has put us under
by the recent detachment of several regiments from Fremont's command
to reinforce the army of the Eastern Coast.

I have therefore to request that you will nominate for the county in
which you reside, and for each of the adjacent counties, five young men,
or any less number, aged between eighteen and thirty years (the younger
the better) who may in your opinion answer the description given above
and in the inclosed plan; and who may be willing to go from a patriotic
motive solely, and with a determination to submit to the strictest drill
and military discipline, and to endure any hardships for their country's
sake.

The men to be light, active and hardy — and more or less accustomed
to riding — and the names to be mentioned on your list (with their ad-
dresses) in the order of your preference, so that in case all the counties
respond, the best may be taken from each.

I will personally see, or address a note similar to this, to influential
and well-known gentlemen in nearly every section of the state, and
make no doubt but that they and you will heartily co-operate in this en-

6o4 History of the Fifteenth Poinsyh-aiiia Cavalry.

deavor to furnish General Anderson a mounted Body Guard from Penn-
sylvania worthy of him and of the state.

Please let me hear from you with as little delay as practicable, at the
office of the President of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Phila-
delphia.

Yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer.

P. S. — In order to comply with the existing legal form, the troop, if
accepted, will be commissioned by the authorities of the State of Pennsyl-
vania in obedience to a requisition made upon them by the War Depart-
ment for such a company.

THE AXDERSOX TROOP.

LIEUT. THOS. S. MAPLE, PITTSBURG, PA.

WHEN asked to write a history of the Anderson Troop,
to be pubhshed in the same volume with the history of
the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, I thought at first
it might not be appropriate. However, as the Regiment was
recruited and organized by the Captain, First Lieutenant and
others of the original company, it seems very fitting that the
t\vo histories should be combined. Therefore, as the only commis-
sioned officer left in the old troop, I consider it my duty and
privilege to place on record some of the data in my possession
respecting the events of its eighteen months' service at the head-
quarters of the armies of the Ohio and the Cumberland.

The Anderson Troop, an independent company of Pennsylvania
Volunteer Cavalry, was organized at Carlisle, Pa., in October,
1 86 1, under special authority granted by the Secretary of War,
ejilistments being made for three years.

The formation of a company of cavalry for special service at
headquarters of the Army of the Ohio was conceived and brought
about by William J. Palmer, private secretary of J. Edgar Thom-
son, of Philadelphia, President of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company.

'Mr. Palmer's object was to form a company of active, intelligent
voung men, of good standing in their respective communities,
throughout the State of Pennsylvania, who would be capable of
performing any military service that might be required of them.
To this end ]\Ir. Palmer corresponded with prominent men
throughout the State, chiefly those known to him from his railway
position, and had them recommend young men for membership.

Out of the lists sent him from the different counties he made
his selections, and directed the men to rendezvous at Carlisle, Pa.,
in a field immediately adjoining the United States Army Barracks.

This Company, being intended for special service under Gen.

605

6o6 History of tJie Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Robt. Anderson (the hero of Fort Sumter, to whom had been
assigned the command of the Army of the Ohio, at Louisville,
Ky.), was given the name of the Anderson Troop.

Before the men were fully organized, drilled and equipped for
service, and while yet at Carlisle, changes had been made in com-
manders of the Army of the Ohio. General Anderson, on ac-
count of ill health, gave place to Gen. Wm. T. Sherman, who, in
turn, was relieved by Maj.-Gen. Don Carlos Buell. The troop
was accepted by each of these commanders in order, as his
escort, and for duty at headquarters.

Before the troop was mustered into service, an election for
officers of the company was held, which resulted as follows : Wm.
J. Palmer, of Philadelphia, was elected Captain; Sergeant Wm.
Spencer, of Carlisle Barracks, First Lieutenant, and Thomas S.
Maple, of Pittsburg, Second Lieutenant. Sergeant Spencer had
been for fifteen years in the regular cavalry service.

The organization being completed, the troop left Carlisle on
December 2, 1861, arriving at Pittsburg the same evening, and
was escorted to the Scott House, now Hotel Boyer, where a num-
ber of patriotic Pittsburgers had ordered a good supper for them.
A considerable number of citizens were guests at the banquet.
After the supper was over, Mr. Jno. H. Hampton arose, and in
an eloquent address welcomed the troop to Pittsburg, as Penn-
sylvanians, and bade them God-speed on their journey. Captain
Palmer replied briefly, stating for what purpose the troop was
formed, and that it was then under marching orders to report to
General Buell, at Louisville, and closing with warmest thanks,
in behalf of himself and the company, to those who had so kindly
entertained them, and to Mr. Hampton for his cordial words of
welcome and good- will.

The company then marched to the wharf and embarked on the
steamer "Argonaut," leaving Pittsburg at 5 p.m., December 3d,
and reaching Maysville, Ky., at about noon on December 5th. As
we left Maysville, the ladies, at one house along the river,
brought out a beautiful silk Union flag and waved it. The troop
saluted and sang "The Star Spangled Banner," winding up with
three cheers for the "Flag," three cheers for the "Ladies" and three
more for "Old Kentucky."

All along the Ohio River we were greeted with the same enthu-

The Anderson Troop. 607

siasm. At Marietta, Portsmouth, Ripley and other points cannon
salutes were given. The mere sight of a body of soldiers on their
way to the front seemed enough to throw the populace into the
wildest state of excitement.

The night of December 5th was spent at Cincinnati, Captani
Palmer going on by rail to Louisville.

The trip down the river was marked by many amusing inci-
dents. At one beautiful country seat some ladies rushed out and
fired off a cannon ; this, of course, bringing forth hearty cheers
from the troop.

We arrived at Louisville on the night of December 6th, but did
not disembark until the next morning, when the men paraded in
full dress uniform through the city and encamped in Oakland
Park Race Course, a charming spot in the suburbs, wdiere, on
December 13th, they received their horses.

At a short distance on either side of their quarters were the
camps of several regiments from Ohio and Indiana, and still
further on many other camps. On the 9th of December the body-
guard of Gen. Jas. S. Negley arrived from Pittsburg, and pitched
tents between us and the railroad, a few rods off.

The camps were visited by large numbers of the people of Louis-
ville, who favored the men with many kind attentions. On Decem-
ber 17th Mr. Alex. Semple invited a number of our company to
dine with him at his home in the city, and on other occasions
members of the troop had the pleasure of enjoying his hospitality
and that of other residents during our sojourn near this hospitable
city. Many of the men attended service on the Sabbath Dav in
the different churches.

While in camp here Lieutenant Spencer bought himself a big
black horse, which stood several hands higher than some of the
other horses in the troop, giving him something of a bird's-eye
view of the company. He named him "John Noble," after a
friend of his at Carlisle. Shortly after he was agreeably surprised
by a visit from a committee, which presented him, in the name of
the troop, with a sum. of money, for the purpose of purchasing a
handsome saddle for his new charger.

On the 24th of January, Dr. A. J. Comfort, of Philadelphia,
having passed the necessary examinations of the Armv Medical
Board, was engaged as Company Surgeon.

6o8 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

After two months of camp drill and discipline, the troop em-
barked with a part of General Buell's staff, on board the steamer
"Prioress," for Xashville, Tenn., General Buell having gone with
two of his staff, six of the Anderson Troop and the rest of his
command overland, expecting that the enemy would have with-
drawn or been driven to the south of Xashville before we should
join him there.

On February 26th the "Prioress" arrived at Smithland, Ky.,
at the mouth of the Cumberland River, and passed on up the river,
where she was beaten in a race with the gunboat "Conestoga."

At Clarksville, Tenn., the steamer landed, and some of the com-
pany found, on looking over the hotel register, that the rebel
General Beauregard and staff and many other officers of the
Confederate army had been there on the 8th of February, one
week before the battle of Fort Donelson. The site of this battle-
field was passed on the way up the river. A few miles below
Nashville we came in view of a battery the rebels had deserted,
tumbling some of the pieces down the river bank, after burning
the cotton breastworks. Xear X'ashville we saw some of the work
ci destruction that the rebels had accomplished in their retreat
from General Buell's army. The cables of the ware suspension
bridge over the Cumberland River had been cut, the railroad bridge
destroved and two steamboats burned. The troop reached Xash-
ville at 3 P.M., February 27th. three days after its occupation by
our army.

General Buell had established his headquarters at the St. Cloud
Hotel. A few of our troop were with him there and the rest had
their quarters at the Planters' Hotel. The proprietor of this hotel
having gone with the rebels, taking what he could W'ith him, the
owner of the building rented it to the troop for its use. The
horses were quartered in a large stable adjoining.

Xashville presented a most forsaken appearance. Nearly all
the stores were closed, and those that were open (many of them)
had nothing in them. The city looked as though one-half of the
inhabitants had left.

Xear our quarters was the old family mansion of ex-President
Polk, on the front lawn of which was his grave and monument.
The widow of ex-President Polk still occupied the old homestead
and gave a cordial invitation to any of the officers to call.

The Anderson Troop. 609

The necessaries of life were very scarce in the city and market
prices correspondingly high ; as, for example : coffee, $1 per pound ;
sugar, 25 cents per pound; candles, 15 cents each, and bituminous
coal, 75 cents per bushel. By the ist of IN'Iarch the people came
to their senses or began to. The secessionist inhabitants, finding
no reason to fear the Union troops, returned to their homes, and
quiet and order reigned supreme. The people seemed to be sur-
prised at the difference in the behavior of the Union troops and
that of the Confederates who preceded us. They informed us that
the rebel soldiers raided the stores at will, helping themselves
freely to whatever they wanted without any idea of paying. Under
General Buell's military rule every citizen and all private property
were safe.

March 2d a great many Union troops from across the Cumber-
land River came over and encamped on the outskirts of the city.

Obtaining a pass from the Provost Marshal, Lieutenant Maple
and Private Sproul visited the deserted capitol building, which
stood on high ground, and gave one a fine view of the movements
of the army. While there they improved the opportunity to take
a look inside. In the room where the House of Representatives
met there was great confusion, books and papers were scattered
all about, drawers of desks were pulled out and the contents
tumbled out, bottles of mucilage had been upset and the sticky
fluid had spread far and wide. On the speaker's desk were some
memoranda, written in pencil, bearing on the subject of war, such
as these, "If you assume tax you make the war very unpopular,"
"pay this tax as you purposed and the people will not know they
have paid it," "there is disaffection," "the cry is relief," "we will
respond to the call of the Government," etc.

On Sunday, ]\Iarch 2d, a dozen or so of the troop attended the
Episcopal Church. In the service the clergyman omitted the
prayer for the President of the United States. Neither did he
pray for Jefferson Davis. He gave out a hymn, but no one started
the tune, so he proceeded with the sermon. It amused the boys to
see how some of the feminine rebels of Nashville put on airs, as
they called it. In passing the company quarters (Planters' Hotel),
where the guard was stationed, they would step aside and walk
around the place as if they feared contamination from the Yankee
soldiers, an^l so as to avoid passing under the United States flag.

39

6io History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Some of the troop were obliged to search houses where it was
reported there were rebel soldiers concealed. In one house, while
they were performing this disagreeable duty, a young lady re-
moved a small rebel flag from the wall and placed it in her bosom.
Sergeant Ward, of the company, after being out all night in
citizen's clothes, trying to get on the track of some Texas Rangers
who were concealed in the city, declared that the people were all
such rebels that it was hopeless to find out anything, and, as for
the negroes, there was no dependence to be placed upon their
statements.

General Buell, having received information of the location of the
rebel intrenchments, prepared to push ahead as fast as possible.

The troop had done excellent service in carrying dispatches to
the different divisions of the army — twenty, thirty, forty and fifty
miles away — sometimes being gone two or three days at a time.

On March 25th the troop left their quarters in the Planters'
Hotel and started southward, going into camp two miles north of
Columbia, on the 26th. Here the army headquarters added to their
force two companies of Colonel Oakes' Fourth Regular Cavalry,
with a brass band, which gave the camp a more martial air, espe-
cially at guard mount and retreat.

General McCook's Division was ahead of General Buell's main
army about two miles. The bridge over Duck Creek at Columbia
had been destroyed by the rebels, and there was more delay until
it could be repaired, although part of the division succeeded in
fording the river at this difficult point. From the camp here
Captain Wright, of General Buell's staff, with a squad of the reg-
ular cavalry, went one morning a few miles into the comitry and
captured a member of the Tennessee Legislature. Osborne was
his name, and he was said to be a Major on Governor Harris'
staff. He was held prisoner for a v/hile.

On April 2d marching was resumed at a more rapid pace, which,
left the wagons behind. April 4th we bivouacked about nineteen
miles from Savannah, Tenn., and on the next night we came to
a stream that could not be crossed with the wagon train, and we
were obliged to lie over until morning. Part of this night was
spent in unloading and making up light loads of camp equipage
for the use of the troop ahead, which had bivouacked several
nights in the rain and needed shelter badlv. The roads at this

The Anderson Troop. 6ii

time were very bad. There was a perfect jam of Government
wagons, and many of them stuck fast in the mud.

At dayHght, on the morning of April 6th, heavy firing was heard
in the direction of Pittsburg Landing, on the Tennessee River, and
the order was at once given for the army to push forward with all
possible speed. The wagon trains were moved aside and troops,
artillery and ammunition were rushed ahead. Our Troop marched
sixteen miles to Savannah that day, where it bivouacked in a heavy
rain, awaiting transportation across the river. At midnight pri-
vates Hummel, Hewitt, Stevenson and Norman M. Smith were
ordered to report to General Buell on the battlefield. They
reached Pittsburg Landing at daylight the next morning, and
were with the General for two days, acting as orderlies. Their
conduct during the battle was commended by him in a letter to
Captain Palmer.

The balance of the troop, being unable to procure transportation
across the river on April 7th, could not take in the battle that day,
to the great disappointment of the men, but on the 8th reached
Pittsburg Landing and camped on the battlefield, three and a half
miles south of Shiloh Church. The dead in hundreds lay all about
them. In many places shells had set fire to the underbrush, and
many of the bodies appeared to have been burned while yet alive.
In the town of Savannah the churches, schools and private dwell-
ings were filled with the wounded, and even the steamboats at the
landing. In Savannah six of our troop lay sick. One of them,
private Caleb Zimmerman, of Westmoreland County, died of
fever on Wednesday, April 9th. H. M. Francis, who had been
detailed to nurse the sick there, was with him when he died. Ro-
land Seeger, of Philadelphia, who had accidentally shot himself in
the arm the day before, and Samuel Wigfall, who had accom-
panied Seeger, were also in Savannah; and as there was no oppor-
tunity of embalming Zimmerman's body, he was buried there and
the grave well naarked.

A number of Pittsburgers visited the field of Shiloh soon after
the fight ; among others were Rev. Wm. D. Howard and Wm.
Fuller, M.D. On the nth a rebel deserter came into camp. He was
from Vicksburg, Miss., and said he was tired of soldiering; had
been ten months in service and had received neither clothing nor
pay and had been obliged to send home for something to wear.

6i2 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

After the battle of Shiloh, General Buell issued a general order
congratulating his army on its success in gaining imperishable
honor by rescuing a sister army (Grant's) from a defeat by over-
whelming forces.

Bv the 14th the dead were about all buried, the wounded re-
moved to hospitals, and the army was ready for an advance as soon
as the roads, almost impassable from continued rains, would per-
mit.

It seems well to quote here from a letter of one of General
Buell's orderlies. It was written from the field of Shiloh, by
Frank Ward, of Pittsburg. To the kindness of his family I owe
several items of interest in this sketch. Ward writes : 'T wish
you could see the way Buell has his pickets posted. A surprise
is impossible and the rebels know it. General Buell rides out to
the pickets nearly every morning before the sun gets too hot.
He rides very fast, and some of the boys get tired of it, but he
cannot ride too fast for me. General Buell shakes his head when
talking earnestly, and is the strictest disciplinarian I ever heard of.
He has an eagle eye and nothing escapes him. The other day
while riding the lines of pickets we came up to a squad of men in
charge of a Lieutenant. The officer had taken oft' his sword and
belt and stood them against a tree. He fell in on the left of his
squad as the General rode up and gave the command 'Present
arms.' The General sized him up sharply for a few minutes,
asked him what regiment he belonged to, then inquired : 'Where
is your sword and belt?" The officer pointed to it. 'Why have
you not got it on?' 'Well, I got tired wearing it,' replied the
Lieutenant. The General eyed him for a few seconds, then shak-
ing his head once or twice, said angrily: 'Now, sir, put on your
belt, and keep it on, and if I ever catch you standing on the left
of your guard again you will be sorry for it. Take your post on
the right of your guard instantly.' In this manner the General
keeps correcting one after another, until the discipline of his army
is splendid. Grant's army look on Buell's men as veterans, and
well they may, for nothing but their unflinching determination to
win, on the 7th inst., saved Grant's whole army from the worst
kind of a defeat."

On April 28th the advance movement on Corinth was begun,
and the next day we moved with General Buell's headquarters and

The Anderson Troop. 613

camped at a point about eight miles southeast of Pittsburg Land-
ing, and the day after three miles further.

On May 2d we moved to the vicinity of Alonterey. Tenn.. where
the troops were held in readiness for action with four days'
rations.

May nth we advanced two miles to a point about five miles
from Corinth.

May 15th General Buell issued a special order directing Cap-
tain Palmer to make a requisition upon him for authority to re-
cruit the Company to its full quota, there being at this time but
seventy-nine in active service in the company.

May 1 8th the camp was again moved to a point one mile from
Farmington, about three miles from Corinth. General Nelson's di-
vision was immediately in front. General Crittenden and General
P^ope on the left and Generals ^^IcCook's and Thomas' divisions on
the right.

May 19th five of the troop were sent to Louisville, sick with
typhoid fever: Christian Musselman, of Lancaster; A. AL Parker,
of Carlisle ; Giles A. Watrous, of Susquehanna County ; Chas. S.
Derland, of Hollidaysburg, and Geo. W. Wallace, of Chambers-
burg.

Henry M. Francis, who had accompanied these sick men from
Savannah to Louisville, reported, on his return, that the Louis-
ville people had treated the men very kindly, and would not allow
any of the Anderson Troop to be taken to the hospitals, but cared
for them in their homes. About this time the Troop received for
their use and that of headquarters a portable revolving oven on
wheels. The bread it turned out was excellent. This oven fol-
lowed us all around through the campaign, with its own horse and
driver.

While in camp here many deserters came over from the rebel
army. One fellow had fifty dollars in Confederate money which
he offered to sell for five dollars in L^nited States money. They all
had about the same story to tell, of being "pressed" into tlie rebel
service, and that there were many others waiting for a chance to
get away.

These deserters from Corinth brought the news that the rebels
had made up their minds to fight tnider the "black flag." but our
men had no fears as to the result of the conflict, as tb.e whole armv,

6i4 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

realizing that nothing but the hardest kind of fighting would win,
had determined to do or die ; everyone expected a terrible slaughter
when the fight came on.

' On May 26th the troop was visited by Senator Irish and Dr.
Simpson, of Pittsburg ; also General McCook's father. The latter
was mounted on a white horse. He was in citizen's clothes, wore
a broad-brimmed hat and carried a fine rifle over his shoulder.
The old gentleman looked as if he was on the warpath on his own
hook, and intended to have a hand in it when the fight should come
off, then hourly expected.

On May 29th our earthworks and rifle pits had been brought
very close to the rebel works and a battle seemed imminent, but on
the next day, Friday, May 29, 1862, the rebels, under General
Beauregard, evacuated Corinth, blowing up and burning some of
the buildings, and leaving some of their ammunition and camp
equipage behind. In one lot were 139 spherical case shells of large
size, a great number of solid shot, tents, camp equipage and bowie
knives — evidences of a hasty departure. A small force of our
cavalry under Colonel McCook pursued them through the dense
for.est, came up with their rear guard five miles south of Corinth,
had a sharp skirmish and retired with an insignificant loss. Dur-
ing the siege of Corinth about 2000 prisoners and deserters had
been sent North.

Captain Palmer, with a detachment of thirty men, went on a
reconnoitering expedition. They rode as far as luka. Miss., and
returned June 9th.

General Pope's division having met with serious opposition in
the pursuit of the retreating enemy, the Army of the Ohio was
ordered forward to his support. They marched south as far as
Booneville, but the enemy had made good his escape, and Buell's
army then marched eastward.

On Friday morning, June 13th, the troop broke camp near
Corinth and moved eastward. At luka Mineral Springs we halted,
at Bear Creek camped for the night, and the next morning started
on, following the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad.
On Sunday we passed through Tuscumbia, Ala., encamping in the
evening near Florence, fifty-two miles east of Corinth, Miss. On
arriving here General Buell sent us over some ice, which was
gratefully received, as the weather was hot and it had long been
an unknown luxurv.

The Anderson Troop. 615

June 19th, while carrying lieadquarters" mail to Eastport, Tenn.,
private Israel V. Hoag was captured by the enemy near Chicka-
saw, Miss., sent south and held prisoner until September 25th,
when he was exchanged. As soon as the news of the capture
reached him. Captain Palmer took a detachment of the company
and started in pursuit. Two days passed before they struck the
trail, but they followed on as far as Pikeville before giving up the
chase, after learning from citizens the particulars of Hoag"s cap-
ture.

On the 23d eleven new recruits for the Anderson Troop arrived
from Pennsylvania. They had been mustered in at Philadelphia
on the 1 2th inst., and were forwarded in charge of Lance Sergeant
Samuel Comfort, Jr. Their names were : Norman C. Broadway,
Anthony Campbell, Jr., Benj. E. Davis, Geo. L. Garrett, Geo. W.
Henderson, Robert Kelly, Wm. Pettit, Jno. C. Scott, Geo. PI.
I'routman, Alanson P. Tyler, all of Philadelphia, and John W.
Kent, of Montgomery County.

On the 26th the troop crossed the Tennessee River, and reach-
ing Huntsville, Ala., on the 29th, pitched their tents in the suburbs
on the banks of a fine stream of crystal water, emerging as a spring
from under the hill on which a part of the town was situated. On
Sunday morning, at church service, one of the local ministers
prayed for "our enemies among us."

Corporal Alex. J. Blackstone, of Fayette County, was acci-
dentally shot on July 25th while in camp here, and died on July
26, 1862.

In furtherance of the desire of General Buell that the troop
should be enlarged to a battalion to serve at the headquarters of the
Army of the Ohio, he issued a special order on July 15, 1862, de-
tailing First Lieutenant Wm. Spencer for the recruiting service,
and directed him to report to the Superintendent of Recruiting in
Pennsylvania. On the 24th the following were also ordered to
Pennsylvania on the same errand, viz : Captain Palmer, Sergeants
Frank Ward, Jas. B. Lashell, Alfred Vezin; Corporals Wm. T.
Xicolls, Allison McDowell ; and privates Jas. Blackstone, Wm. W.
DeWitt, J. R. Hew'itt, Braden Hurst. Jas. B. Curtin. A. J. Long-
necker and Norman M. Smith.

Upon the arrival of Captain Palmer and his recruiting party in
Pennsylvania, the applications for enlistment from the proper sort

6i6 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

of young men were so numerous that it was decided to recruit a
regiment instead of a battalion, the original company of the
Anderson Troop to remain with General Buell, under command
of Lieut. Thos. S. Maple, until the regiment should be recruited
and then become Company A of the new Regiment. This plan of
having the Independent Company of the Anderson Troop become
Company A of the new Regiment was never carried out, but it
remained at headquarters of the army, serving, first, Major-
General Buell, then Major-General Rosecrans, until finally mus-
tered out.

The enemy, under General Bragg, having made a demonstration
in our rear, in the direction of Louisville, Ky., and destroyed our
railroad communications, General Buell advanced northward to
intercept them. General Buell and a part of the troop went by
rail to Decherd, Tenn., the remainder marching by road. August
3] St we went to Hillsboro, then to Manchester and Murfreesboro,
and on September 7th encamped in the suburbs of Nashville. We
started again on the nth, and in the next fourteen days had gone
through Tyree Springs, Mitchellville, Bowling Green, Dripping
Springs, Fruit's Knob, Munfordsville (were on scouting duty east
of this town), Elizabethtown, West Point, and on September 25th
encamped in Louisville, on the corner of Eighteenth Street and
Broadway.

The object of the army (that of reaching Louisville before the
rebel General Bragg) having been accomplished. General Buell
added to his command the troops under General Nelson, and ad-
vanced his entire army against the position held by General Bragg
at Perryville. Ky.

At this time news was received from the recruiting party, in the
form of a letter from Frank Ward to Lieutenant Maple. It was
written at Carlisle, Pa., where the Regiment was recruited, and
shortly after the rebel raid into Pennsylvania and the battle of
Antietam, September 17, 1862:

"Camp Alabama, Carlisle, September 28, 1862.
"Dear Maple, — I embrace the present opportunity to drop you
a few lines. I find myself occupying a very responsible position
at present, viz, comm.anding officer of a Regiment. Palmer (the
Colonel) has been captured, and Spencer (Lieutenant-Colonel)
is sick. I have been commissioned Captain by the Governor,

The Anderson Troop. 617

and have been requested to send in ten names for commissions,
which I did.

"Hurst, Blackstone, Tintsman, Derland and Smith acted most
nobly while under fire. I was ordered by General Reynolds to
drive in the rebel pickets at Williamsport, Md. I had 300 men,
while the rebels had two battalions of Stewart's famous cavalry.
I started Hurst and Smith ahead with one company as skirmishers
and followed on with a reserve of 200.

"Hurst and Smith went at the rebs in such a business-like man-
ner that they skedaddled back and took shelter behind a battery,
which opened on us with shell. I asked General Reynolds to
support us with infantry, but he said he had nothing but the

'd d milish,' and he could not rely on them, so we retired. 1

wish either you or Rosengarten could come on and assist me. 1
am afraid Palmer is gone up, although I hope not, as he had made
a good many arrangements that no one knew anything about.

"Yours, etc.,

"Frank."

Norman M. Smith also wrote, from Carlisle, that Serg. W. F.
Prosser, of the troop, who had been captured by the rebels in
Tennessee, was there in camp, having been exchanged.

October 6th the army left Louisville, Ky., and marched to
Bardstown, then to Springfield, where the enemy was met and
driven from the town, and on October 7th to Perryville, where a
general engagement took place the next day between the right
wing of our army and the enemy. The troop lost privates Allen.
Wills and Oakford, who were captured while carrying messages
between Generals Buell and McCook. They were taken to Har-
rodsburg and Danville, and in three days paroled and sent back
to camp. General Buell sent them to Louisville, to report to
General Boyle, to be forwarded to Camp Chase. These men were
very favorably mentioned in General Buell's report of the battle.

At the time of the battle of Perryville, the weather was so
exceedingly dry that water was very scarce and stagnant pools
had to be resorted to, and even these were soon drained, but the
dav after the battle the rebels retreated, leaving the Union boys in
full possession of a fine spring and a stream. Following the re-
treat a dash was made into Perryville, and a train of ammunition
captured, with about 150 rebels. In this battle the Union army lost
3200, killed, wounded and missing ; the Confederates 1300 killed,
3000 wounded and 200 prisoners.

6i8 History of the FiftccntJi Pciiitsyh'ania Cavalry.

In pursuit of the enemy, the army passed through Harrodsburg
and Stanford, going as far as Crab Orchard, where it encamped.
At this time its only communication with Louisville, seventy-five
miles distant, was by wagon road, the railroad having been cut
off by the rebels. By October i6th Bragg's army had been driven
into the mountains of southeastern Kentucky, having evaded the
efforts of our army to draw them into battle. There were several
skirmishes and some prisoners were taken.

The Union army having chased Bragg's army through Cum-
berland Gap into Tennessee, broke camp at Crab Orchard on the
22d of October and returned through Danville to Lebanon, Ky..
where headquarters were established. The 30th of the same month
found us in Louisville, where General Buell, in obedience to orders
from the headquarters of the army, turned over his command to
General Rosecrans.

The army, under Major-General Rosecrans, left Louisville and
moved on, passing through Bowling Green and Mitchellville, and
reached Nashville, November nth. Here the troop was com-
fortably quartered in barracks within the city. On December 24th
Lieutenant Maple received notice of the forward march for the
winter campaign, under our new Commander, General Rosecrans.
Li compliance with orders, the company was ready to start at the
appointed time, but the order was countemianded, and the men
turned in for a jollification meeting with the former members, who
were serving as officers in the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry,
which had just arrived from Nashville. It was not yet fully
organized.

December 26th marching orders were received again, and at
II o'clock A.M., General Rosecrans and staff, escorted by the
Anderson Troop and some of the Fourth U. S. Cavalry, started
off through the mud at a rapid pace. The whole army was now in
motion, principally on the three roads— the Murfreesboro, Nolans-
ville and Franklin turnpikes. After advancing about twelve miles
heavy cannonading was heard on the right, on theNolansville turn-
pike, about eight or ten miles away. The General and escort
started over in the direction of the firing ; through fields and woods,
over hilltops, on down through the valleys, they dashed, night
coming on before they reached the place, and found that the Union
men had captured one cannon and driven the enemy out of Nolans-

The Anderson Troop. 619

ville, southward. They started back and, after a rough ride,
reached camp at 2 o'clock in the morning. General Rosecrans,
learning that a part of the Fifteenth Regiment had remained be-
hind, from lack of officers, directed Lieutenant Maple to send back
those of his compan}' who had been recommended for commission
as officers in the Regiment. This was done.

On December 27th heavy rains impeded somewhat the advance
of the army. Severe skirmishing was kept up on the front, con-
tinuing until the morning of the 31st, when the engagement be-
came general, at Stone River.

In this battle the troop was actively engaged in orderly, escort
and courier duty, and received a flattering commendation from
General Rosecrans. We lost one man, private Evan W. Grubb,
of Philadelphia, who was struck by a cannon ball. Two of our
former members were also killed, namely, Majors Ward and
Rosengarten, of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry ; and General
Rosecrans lost his Chief of Staff, Colonel Garesche.

Before the battle the wagons were sent back to Nashville and
had not returned with tents and camp equipage, but there were
many vacant houses in Murfreesboro, and General Rosecrans took
possession of one, and the troop, following his example, occupied
a cottage with five rooms.

Lieutenant Maple rode over the Stone River battlefield to the
house where Major Ward was taken after he was wounded, and
found that he had died that morning.

On January 31, 1863, the troop learned that their former Cap-
tain, Colonel Palmer, of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, had
escaped from Castle Thunder, Richmond, and was expected in a
short time to take command of his Regiment.

At this time there were altogether fifty-three left of the original
number, forty-four on duty here at Murfreesboro, seven absent on
account of sickness, one serving as Hospital Steward at Louisville
and Lieutenant Maple commanding.

On February 17th, after consultation with Lieutenant Alaple,
Colonel Palmer wrote a letter to General Rosecrans, setting forth
that in view of the objection of the old Anderson Troop to uniting
with the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, he washed now to begin
the organization of the Regiment without them and not to delay
lons:er. The General and Colonel had both felt that it would be

620 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

impracticable for both commands to remain at the headquarters of
the army. As the Regiment was raised with the understanding
that it was to become so attached, it w-as felt that in order to pre-
serve its organization it might be necessary for the independent
company of the Anderson Troop to withdraw and be mustered out
of service. In pursuance of this plan General Rosecrans had a
consultation with Lieutenant Maple. These officers agreed that
as the original company had become so reduced in numbers, bv
the usual casualties incident to army life and by numerous
promotions, it would be better, in order to save the Regiment,
for the company to withdraw. The General, therefore, pro-
posed that those of the old troop who did not desire to join
the Regiment apply in writing for an honorable muster out of
service, and in view of the circumstances of the case, he would
forward it on to the Secretary of War, recommending the
measure.

On March 12th, for the first time since the battle of Stone River,
the company was out as escort with the General. It was a beau-
tiful day. First rode General Rosecrans, with his staft', next
Major-General Thomas and Brigadier-General Spear, then one of
our boys carrying a large silk flag — the Stars and Stripes — followed
by the Anderson Troop, the Fourth Regular Cavalry bringing up
the rear. They visited the fortifications in the vicinity of Mur-
freesboro, which were very extensive, formidable and strong
enough to resist any attack.

On the evening of March 19th General Rosecrans instructed
Lieutenant Maple to get the papers ready for the muster out of
the old troop, and let him know when he was ready.

March 26th a committee from the troop addressed a letter to
the General, thanking him for his kind and courteous treatment
while in his service and expressing sorrow at parting, to wdiich
the General replied :

"Headquarters Deft, of the Cumberland,

"MuRFREESBORO, Tenn., March 2y, 1863.

"To the. Members of the Anderson Troop:

"The note of your committee is received. I part with vou wdth
as much regret as yourselves may feel. You are young, and your

The Anderson Troop. 621

behavior since I have been in command gives promise of a career
of usefiihiess and honor, whether in the service of your country
or in private Hfe. A-Iay you reahze your hopes and the wishes of
your friends.

''Your friend,

"W. S. ROSECRANS.

"Major-General."

CORRESPONDEXCE RELATING TO THE FORMA-
TION OF THE ANDERSON CAVALRY.

Headquarters Army of the Ohio,
HuNTsviLLE, Ala., July 23, 1862.
To His Excellency A. G. Curtin,

Governor of Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg.
Sir:

I am directed by ]\Iajor General Buell to address you as follows:

On the i8th instant the following dispatch was forwarded, viz :

HuNTSviLLE, Ala., July 18, 1862.
Hon. E. M. Stanton,

Secretary of War,

Washington.
I ask authority to arrange with the Governor of Pennsylvania for
raising three companies of cavalry to be united with the Independent
Company raised last fall and known as the "Anderson Troop, Captain
Palmer."

This company is composed of superior men, many of them well
qualified for officer's, and by appointing them as officers in the proposed
companies, the force would be speedily rendered efficient. It is quite
certain from the representation of Captain Palmer of the "Troop" that
the companies could be speedily raised. I would ask for the proposed
force, the battalion organization.

The necessity for an increase of the cavalry force is imperative, and
time is important.

D. C. Buell,
Major-General Commanding.

To which the Secretary replied as follows :

W\\SHiNGTON, July 21, 1862.
Major-General Buell,

You are authorized to arrange for raising three companies of cav-
alry as requested in your telegram of the i8th inst, just received.

E. M, Stanton,

Secretary of War.

In accordance with the foregoing, the following order has this day
been published:
622

Carres inindcncc Relating to .-indcrson Cavalry. 62^^

Headquarters Army of the Ohio,
Special Order 1 Huntsville, Ala.. July 28, 1862.

No. III. I
Capt. W. J. Palmer, Sergts. Ward, Vezin, Lachelle, Corporals Mc-
Dowell and Nichols; privates Blackstone, Hewitt, Hurst, DeWitt, Long-
necker, N. M. Smith, and Curtin, are hereby detailed to recruit three
companies of cavalry in accordance with special authority from the
War Department, received by telegraph and dated July 21, 1862, the
companies when recruited to be united with the Independent Company
known as the "Anderson Troop," to receive the battalion organization
and to be known as the Anderson Cavalry. Captain Palmer with his
recruiting party will proceed at once to Pennsylvania and report to the
Governor, under whose auspices it is desired to raise the companies.
The Quartermaster's Department will furnish transportation.
The Quartermaster, Commissary, Ordnance and Medical Depts.,
are hereby directed to make all necessary, proper and authorized issues
on presentation of proper requisitions.

By command of Major-General Buell,

James B. Fry,
Colonel and Chief of Staf¥.

From the foregoing you will understand the state of the case.
General Buell requests that you will take the matter in hand, and give
such additional directions and make such arrangements as will accom-
plish the object proposed.

The force is necessary here and it is highly important that no time
be lost in getting it into the field.

The General asks that the appointment of officers may be made on
his nomination to you. The present company (from which the officers
are to be taken) having been under his command since its acceptance
into service, he is able to name those best fitted for promotion. The
unusual degree of proficiency, usefulness, and personal excellence found
in the "Troop" leads the General to expect much for the "Battalion."
and he will regard any steps you may take to facilitate its organization
as a special favor.

I am, sir, very respectfully.

Your obedient servant,

James B. Fry,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
Approved by order of Gov. Curtin,
A. S. Russell.
Adjt. Genl. of Penna.

MUSTER-ROLL OF THE "ANDERSON TROOP.

Wm. J. Palmer...: Captain
Wm. Spencer ist Lieut.

Thos. S. Maple... ^d Lieut.
Wm. F. Prosser. . q, m. Serg.

A. Rosengarten. . ist Serg.

Frank B. Ward.. Sergeant
Tas. A. Lashell do

John M'Lenegan do.

Edw. Marshall... ....do.

DATE OF MUSTER
INTO SERVICE.

Sept. 28, 1861
Nov. IS, 1861

Oct. 12, 1861
Oct. 12, 1861

Oct. 12, 1861

Tos. Anderson.

Corporal

James Quinn do

Wm. G. McClure do

Thos. Dougherty. do....

John Wainright.. do

A. J. Blackstone do

Wm. T. Niccolis do

Alison M'Dowell. do

Charles H. Webb. Musiciai
S. T. VVeakland... Farrier
John M'Eldownev I . . . .do. . .
John M. Williams Saddler
James B. Butler..
W. W. Armstrong
Walter F. Austin.
P. F. Altmeyer...

Francis M. Baker do

Geo. W. Bush.
Jas. Blackstone

Jas. C. Bradford.

Jos. B. Blakiston.
Felix Boyle, Jr...

Oct. 13, 1861

Oct. 15, 1S61

Oct. 12, 1861

Oct. 12, 1861

Oct. 30, 1S61

Oct. 12, 1861

Oct. 30, 1861

Oct. 12, 1861

Oct. 12, iS6i

Oct. 14, 1S61

12.

Oct.

Oct.

Oct. 12, iKbi

Dec. 17, 1861

Jas. F. Benner..

Wagoner

Oct.

T2,

tR6t

Private

Oct.

21,

1861

...do

Nov.

1861

do

Nov.

q.

1861

....do

Nov.

tH6i

....do

Nov.

27.

1861

...do

Oct.

12,

1861

...do

Oct.

14,

1861

....do

Oct.

20,

1R61

....do

Oct.

28,

1861

....do

Nov.

10,

1861

Commissioned, Sept. 28, 1861— taken prisoner in

Maryland.
Commissioned, Nov. 15, 1861 — resigned to accept

commission as Lieut.-Col. 15th Pa. Cavalry,

Sept. 7, 1862.
("ommissioned, October 12, 1861 — appointed A. A.

0. M. and A. C. S.; March i, i8t2.
Appointed Q. M. Serg., Oct. 19, 1861 — taken pris-
oner— afterward Acting Adjt. 2d East Tenn.
Cavalry.

Appointed ist Serg., Oct. iq, 1861 — promoted to
2d Lieut. 4th Ken. Vols. May 15, 1862, and de-
tailed to service with Anderson 1 roop — re-
signed to accept commission as Maj. in 15th Pa.
Cavalry, Oct. 20, 1862.

Appointed Serg., Oct. 19, 1861— promoted to ist
Serg., :May 15, 1862— discharged to accept com-
mission as Maj. 15th Pa. Cavalry, Nov. 6, 1862.

Appointed Serg., Oct. 19, i86i — discharged and ap-
pointed Capt. in 15th Pa. Cavalry by Maj.-Genl.
Rosecrans. Oct. 3c, 1862.

Appointed Serg., October 19, 1861— discharged for
physical disability, July 2, 1862.

Appointed Serg., Nov. 30, 1861 — discharged and
appointed Lieut. 15th Pa. Cavalry by Genl. Rose-
crans, Nov. 6, 1862.

Appointed Corp., Oct. 19, 1861— Promoted to
Serg., Jan. 16, 1862, and discharged by reason of
promotion in 15th Pa. Cavalry, March i, 1S63.

Appointed Corp., October 19, 1861 — Promoted to
Serg., Nov. 6, 1862, and discharged by reason of
promotion in 15th Pa. Cavalry March i, 1863.

Appointed Corp., Nov. 30, 1861, and discharged by
reason of promotion in 15th Pa. Cavalry, March

1, 1863.

Appointed Corp., Oct. 19, 1861, promoted to Serg.
March i, 1863.

Appointed Corp., Nov. 30, 1861 — promoted to Serg.,
Nov. 6, 1862, and discharged by reason of pro-
motion in 15th Pa. Cavalry, March i, 1863.

Appointed Corp., Oct. 19, 1861— accidentally shot
and killed at Huntsville, Alabama, July 26, 1862.

Appointed Corp., Nov. 30, 1861, promoted to ist
Serg. March i, 1863.

Appointed Corp., Oct. 19, 1861— discharged and
appointed Lieut, by Maj.-Genl. Rosecrans in
15th Pa. Cavalry. Nov. 6, 1862.

Discharged for physical disability, Jan. 16, 1862.

Discharged for physical disability, July 24, 1862

Discharged for physical disability, June 23, 1862.

Discharged and appointed Lieut, and Adjt. in
15th Pa. Cavalry, by order of Maj.-Genl. Rose-
crans, Nov. 6, 1S62.

Discharged by reason of promotion in 15th Pa.
Cavalrv, March i. 1S63.

Died at Huntsville, Ala., Aug. 30, 1862.

Discharged for physical disability, at Louisville,
Ky., May 22, 1S62.

624

Muster-Roll of the "Anderson Troop.

625

Wm. Blackburn..
Sam'I Comfort, Jr
Jas. B. Curtin j

M. L. DeCoursey

Wm. W. DeWitt.

Chas. S. Dterland

VV'illiam Domer...
Jesse H. Darragh
Louis E. Fagan..

Henry M. Francis
Leonard Goodwin
Evan W. Grubb..
Israel V. Hoag...
Braden Hurst

J. R. Hewitt

V. B. Hummel...
R. A. Henderson.

Henrv T. Isett

Edw.'P'. Inhoflf..
Geo. W. Ingram.
John W. Jackson.

Chas. H. Jones...
Ivins R. Jones...
Caleb M. Kephart

W. J. Kraus.
E. E. Locke.

Bruce Lambert...
Edmund Levis...
A. J. Longnecker
Wm. S. Monver. .
Chris. Musselman
Wm. H. Oakford.

Wm. E. Post

Alex. M. Parker..

Wm. F. Peiffer...

Tas. N. Nea

tas. Reillv

R. M. Reynolds..
Jas. C. Snroul. . . .
Aug. T. Schnell..

John E. Skillen..
A. E. Stevenson..

Beni. H. Smith..
N. M. Smith

Roland Seeger.

Wallace Strain...
Jos. D. Thomas.

Henry J. Toudy..
\\'. T. Thompson.

...do...
...do...
...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...
...do...
Private

...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...

...do...

...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...

...do...
...do...
...do...

...do...
...do...

...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...

...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...

..do...

..do...

...do...

...do...

...do...
...do...

...do...

DATE OF MUSTER
INTO SERVICE.

Nov. 7,

Oct. 12,

Oct. 15,

Oct. s,

Oct. 12,

Oct. 21,

Oct. 21,
Nov. 6,

Oct. 31, 186-1

Nov. 7, 186

Oct. 12, 186
Oct. 5, 186
Nov. 4, 186

Oct. 15, 186

Oct. 23, 186

Nov.

t86

Nov.

3.

1861

Oct.

t8,

186

Nov.

7-

186

Oct.

23.

186

Oct.

5,

186

Oct.

12,

186

Oct.

12,

t86i

Oct.

1861

Nov. 27, 186

Nov. 22, 186

Oct. IS, 186:

Oct. 12, 186:

Nov. 4, 186;

Nov. 25, 186:

Oct. 14. 186:

Nov. 27, 186

Oct. IS, 186

Oct. 18, 186

Nov.
Oct.
Oct.

Nov.
Oct.

24, 186

12, 186

12, 186

24, 186

12, 186

...do...
...do..,

Oct. 27, iS

Oct. 12, 186
Oct. 12, 186

Oct. 14, 186

Nov. 2, 186

Oct. 31. 186

Nov. I, 186
Oct. 22, 186

Oct. 30,

Oct. 2n, 186

Discharged for physical disability, April 16, 1862.

Discharged for physical disability, Sept. 30, 1862.

Discharged and appointed Lieut, in 15th Pa. Cav-
alry by Maj.-Genl. Rosecrans, Nov. 6, 1862.

Discharged by reason of promotion in 15th Pa.
Cavalry, March i, 1863.

Discharged by reason of promotion in 15th Pa.
Cavalry, March i, 1863.

Discharged by reason of promotion in 15th Pa.
Cavalry, Nov. 6, 1S62.

Discharged by reason of promotion to Lieut, of
Marines, Mav i, 1862.

Killed in battle of Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.

Taken prisoner, June 19, 1S62.

Discharged and appointed Capt. in isth Pa. Cav-
alry by Maj.-Gen. Rosecrans, Nov. 6, 1862.

Discharged and appointed Capt. in 15th Pa. Cav-
alry by Maj.-Gen. Rosecrans, Nov. 6, 1862.

Appointed O. M. Serg., Jan. i, 1863.

Discharged and appointed Lieut, in isth Pa. Cav-
alry by Maj.-Gen. Rosecrans, Nov. 6, 1862.

Discharged by reason of promotion in 15th Pa.

Cavalry, March i, 1863.
Discharged, having been appointed ist Lieut. 9th

Ky. \ ols.
Discharged bv reason of promotion in 15th Pa.

Cavalry, March i, 1863.

.Appointed Hospital Steward, Aoril 12. 1862.

Taken prisoner at Perrysville, Ky., and paroled.
Discharged for phvsical disability, Nov. 25, 1862.
Discharged by reason of promotion in 15th Pa.
Cavalry, Nov. 6, iSf2.

.Appointed Hospital Steward at Louisville. Ky.

Discharged by order of Secretary of War and ap-
pointed Lieut, of Vols.

Discharged for physical disability, June 25, 1862,
at Louisville, Ky.

Discharged and appointed Capt. in 15th Pa. Cav-
alry, by order of Maj.-Gen. Rosecrans, Nov. t,

l8f2.

Discharged and appointed Capt. in 15th Pa. Cav-
alry, by order of Maj.-Gen, Rosecrans, Nov. 6,
1862.

Discharged for physical disability, Oct. 25, 1862.

Transferred to 7th Pa. N'olunteer Cavalry, Tan. 26,
1862.

Appointed Lance Corp., Feb., 1862 — discharged
and appointed Lieut, in the 15th Pa. Cavalrv.
Nov. 6, 1862.

Promoted to Lance Corporal. Feb. 12, 18^3— Pro-
moted to Serg., March i, 1863.

40

626 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Roland C. Allen.
N. C. Broadway.
A. H. Campbell..
Benj. E. Davis...
George L. Garrett
G. W. Henderson
John V. Kent

Robert Kelly

Wm. Pettit

G. H. Troutman..
Alanson P. Tyler.

Cyrus Brinker

John C. Scott

J. S. Thompson..
Alfred Vezin

Sam'I Wigfall....
Edw. P. Wilson..
Jas. E. Wilson...

C. H. Watts...
Geo. R. Wetmore
Geo. W. Wallace, i
Clarence- W. Wills
Giles A. Watrous

C. S. Zimmerman
J. A. Stevenson. .
John S. Murray...

Wm. E. Post

J. L. Cresson

DATE OF MUSTER
INTO SERVICE.

KEMARES.

Nov.

10

1862

Taken prisoner at Perrysville, Ky., and paroled.

June

12

1862

Died at Huntsville, Ala., Aug. 12, 1862.

June

12

1862

June
June

12

1862

12

1862

Promoted to Lance Corp., Feb. 12, 1863.

June

12

1862

Discharged for physical disability, Oct. 30, 1862.

June

12

1862

Discharged by reason of promotion to 2d Lieut
i2ist New York Vols., March 6, 1863.

June
June

12

1862

12

1862

Discharged for physical disabilitv, July 15, 1862.

June

1862

Taken prisoner at Perrysville, Ky.— paroled.

June
Tune

12
16

1862
1862

Discharged, June 3, 1862, at Louisville, Ky.

June

Nov

18.62

Discharged for disability, July 15, 1862.

12

1861

Discharged for physical disability, Oct. 30, 1862.
Appomted Corp., Jan. 15, 1862— promoted to Serg.,

Oct.

15

1861

May IS, 1862— discharged and appointed Capt.

in 13th Pa. Cavalry, Nov. 6, 1862.

Oct.
Oct.
Oct.

12,

1861
1861
1861

12,

Appointed Lance Corp., Feb.. 1862— promoted to

Corp., Nov. 6, 1862— promoted to Serg. March i,
1863.

Oct.
Oct.

12,

1861
186 1

Discharged for physical disability, Feb. 16, 1862.

Oct.

14,

1861

Died at Cinn., Ohio, Tune i, 1S62.

Oct.

22

1861

Taken prisoner at Perrysville, Ky., and paroled.

Nov.

6

1861

Taken prisoner while bearing despatches from
Gen. Rosecrans to Gen. McCook, March 13, 1863.

Oct.

12

1861

Died April 9, 1861, at Savannah, Tenn.

Nov.

16,

1862

Nov.

13.

1862

Nov.

10,

1862

Discharged for disability, Nov. £3, 1862.

Oct.

15

1861

ADDENDA

627

CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE FIFTEENTH
PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.

Aug. 22, 1862. Regiment mustered into U. S. Service for three
years or during the war at Carlisle, Pa.

Sept. 9. Detachment of about 200 men left camp at Carlisle, arriving
at Greencastle early in the morning of the loth and were followed by
a second detachment of 200 more to Chambersburg.

Sept. 15. Charged into and held possession of Hagerstown.

Sept. i6and 17. Battle of Antietam, Md. A portion of the command
on the field losing the first man of the Regiment killed.

Sept. 22. Left for Carlisle, arriving there early on the morning of
the 23d.

Nov. 7. Left Carlisle for the West.

Nov. 10. Arrived at Louisville, Ky.

Nov. 22. Received^ horses and equipments.

Dec. 8. Marched to Nashville, Tenn.

Dec. 24. Arrived at Nashville.

Dec. 25. Detachment comprising details from the different com-
panies as guard to wagon train on Hillsboro Pike attacked by the enemy,
losing one man killed.

Dec. 26. Advance of Army of the Cumberland in the Stone River
Campaign — about 300 of the Regiment moved forward and became the
advance of McCook's Corps — the right wing of the army, and engaged
the enemy on the Nolansville Pike, near Lavergne. Tenn.

Dec. 27. Engagement near Bole Jack Pass, Tenn.

Dec. 29. Crossed Overalls Creek in pursuit of the retreating enemy,
near Wilkinson's Cross Roads, and which resulted in a sudden and
severe repulse, the command losing about eighty men in killed, wounded,
and prisoners, including in the killed both Majors — Rosengarten and
Ward.

Dec. 30. Moved to the right and rear, marching nearly all night.

Dec. 31. Engagement with Wheeler's cavalry. The Union cavalry
numbering about 2000 men, under the direct command of General Stan-
ley, charged the enemy, about 2500 strong and a battery of artillery,
driving them from the field.

Jan. I, 1863. Regiment detailed to guard wagon train to Nashville,
had sharp skirmish with the enemy at Lavergne, but arrived in good order
at Nashville and remained there until early in February, when the re-
organization of the Regiment was begun under Col. Wm. J. Palmer,
who had returned from captivity in Richmond.

629

630 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Feb. 14. The Regiment was moved from Nashville to Murfreesboro,
Tenn., and established Camp Garesche on the Lebanon Pike, near
that town.

April 3. Left camp on a scout with Gen. John M. Palmer's Division
on the McMinnville road. About seven miles beyond Woodbury had a
skirmish with Col. Baxter Smith's rebel cavalry, inflicting a loss on the
enemy, as reported, of two killed and four wounded. Our loss was one
slightly wounded.

April 5. Went to Half-Acre and Short Mountain. '

April 6. Scouted to Auburn.

April 7. To Barrens, between Bradyville and Woodbury, where we
attacked a camp of rebel cavalry, capturing fifteen prisoners with their
horses, arms, and saddles.

April 8. Returned via Reedyville to Camp Garesche.

April 20. Again started on a scout to Fall Creek and Beard's Mill,
thence to Milton, where we joined Colonel Swann's Brigade' of Infantry.
One squadron went on with General Granger to Liberty. Scouted the
country around Milton.

April 27. Returned to Murfreesboro via Cainsville and Beards Mill.

During the months of March and April the Regiment was reorgan-
ized, provided with horses, arms, and equipments, and brought into a
good state of discipline. ^

May 21. The Regiment scouted northeast of Murfreesboro, between
the Liberty and Reedyville Pikes.

May 26. Moved from Camp Garesche to Camp Pennsylvania, one
and a half miles west of Murfreesboro, near the Salem Pike.

June 14. Scouted between Murfreesboro and Lavergne, west of
the Nashville Pike. Returned at 4 a. m. on the 15th.

June 24. Companies L and E while taking a dispatch to General
Mitchell at Rover encountered a large force of rebels. Had one
wounded, but took several prisoners. The Regirhent moved with De-
partment Headquarters towards Tullahoma, marching nine miles, part of
the Regiment performing courier duty for the army.

June 26. Continued with Department Headquarters towards Tulla-
homa, marching on the Manchester Pike seven miles to Beech Grove.

June 27. Same duty, marching thirteen miles on the Manchester
Pike.

June 29. Five companies, under the Lieutenant-Colonel Lamborn,
made reconnoissance on Lynchburg road to within two miles of Tulla-
homa, driving in the rebel pickets and capturing fifteen cavalrymen with
their arms and horses.

July I. Marched from Manchester to Tullahoma, eleven miles.

July 21. Marched from Tullahoma to Winchester, fifteen miles.

Aug. 6. Scouting across Elk river after guerrillas, captured one.

Aug. 7. Returned after a march of forty miles.

Aug. 17. Marched nine miles from Winchester on the way to
Stevenson, via the Cumberland Mountains and Crow Creek.

Addenda. 631

Aug. 18. Marched six miles.

Aug. 19. Marched eighteen miles to Stevenson.

Aug. 24. Reconnoitering and as escort to General Rosecrans to
Bridgeport, ten miles.

Aug. 25. To Jasper and Shell Mound and back to Bridgeport,
thirty-six miles.

Aug. 26. To Stevenson, ten miles. Companies A, B, H, and K en-
gaged on courier duty and as escort at Department Headquarters. The
other eight companies engaged in scouting and making reconnoissances
and compiling rnaps of the vicinity.

Sept. 4. Marched from Stevenson to Cave Springs, twelve miles.

Sept. 6. Marched to Trenton, Ga., across Raccoon Mountain, twelve
miles.

Sept. 10. Marched from Trenton to Chattanooga, nineteen miles.

Sept. 12. Made reconnoissance to Gordon's Mills, Ga., thirty miles.

Sept. 13. To Steven's and Cooper's Gaps, along Lookout Mountain,
seventeen miles.

Sept. 15. Marched from Cooper's Gap to Ellison's in Chattanooga
Valley, seven miles.

Sept. 16. Marched from Ellison's to Crawfish Springs, twelve miles.
During most of the above period Companies D, F, G, and L were on
courier duty between Broomtown Valley and Chattanooga.

Sept. 17. Made reconnoissance to Lafayette road three miles south
of Gordon's Mills, driving rebel pickets and ascertaining position of en-
emy, distance fifteen miles.

Sept. 19. Marched to Widow Glenn's, General Rosecrans' head-
quarters in the field during the battle of Chickamauga.

Sept. 20. Moved with General Rosecrans about noon from Widow
Glenn's to the Dyer House — where the line of battle was broken by
Longstreet's charge, the command marching into Chattanooga about
midnight.

The above states the marches made by the entire Regiment, or by
the companies remaining at regimental headquarters in the month of
September. During the month, scouts and reconnoissances were made
continually by detachments of greater or less size. Companies A, B, H,
and K were engaged in courier and escort duty at Department Head-
quarters, while six of the remaining companies were engaged in estab-
lishing and maintaining communication between the wings of the army
and Department Headquarters, during the movement from Stevenson,
September 4th, until the return to Chattanooga on the night of the 20th
of September.

The entire Regiment was on duty during the battle of Chickamauga,
engaged in making reconnoissances, picketing and guarding exposed
points, guarding the Headquarters in the field of Major-General Rose-
crans. collecting and guiding wounded men to various hospi-
tals, marking the lines of march for the several army corps, carry-
ing dispatches on the battle field, rallying and stopping fugitive

632 History of the Fifteenth Pennsykania Cavalry.

troops, and finally in guarding the rear and flank of the army train, bat-
teries, etc., on the return to Chattanooga, where we arrived at 12 a.m.
on the 2ist.

From Sept. 21 to Oct. 2, the Regiment remained in Chattanooga.

Oct. 2. Marched from Chattanooga to Poe's Tavern, fifteen miles.

Oct. 3. Over Waldon's Ridge into Sequatchie Valley, sixteen miles.

Oct. 4. Two companies placed on picket duty in the valley and re-
lieved successively every two days during the month.

Oct. 16. Colonel Palmer with a detachment of twenty men, from
Company L, made a scout over Cumberland Mountain to Post Oak
Spring and returned to Sequatchie Valley, being absent seven days, mak-
ing a march of one hundred and forty miles. Detachments of greater or
less size were engaged in making scouts and reconnoissances, etc., during
the month. Company I on duty gathering cattle; Companies B, H, and K
doing escort and orderly duty at Department Headquarters. In the Se-
quatchie Valley the Regiment was engaged in guarding the roads used
by the army supply trains against invaders from rebel cavalry, guerrilla
bands, etc.

Nov. 17. Marched twenty-four miles from Robertson's plantation,
near Dunlap in Sequatchie Valley, to Cedar Grove, seven miles above
Pikeville in the same valley.

From Nov. 17 to Dec. i scouting parties were from time to time sent
out on Cumberland Mountains toward Sparta. Large numbers of beef
cattle were collected during the month and sent to Chattanooga ; the
army at that place being very scantily supplied.

Dec. 3. Marched with one hundred and seventy officers and men to
Knoxville, Tenn., to aid the forces sent from Chattanooga to the relief
of that garrison, being the first regiment that reached there (Dec. 7),
distance 100 miles.

Dec. 8. In accordance with orders from General Burnside, marched
to attack Colonel Thomas' rebel battalion of Indians and white men at
Gatlinsburg, near foot of Great Smoky Mountain.

Dec. 10. Made the attack at daybreak (distance marched forty-six
miles), drove the enemy over into North Carolina, destroying their
camp, inflicting a loss of two killed, four wounded and one prisoner,
and captured eighteen horses, thirty muskets, two boxes of ammunition,
commissary stores, etc. We had two captains wounded.

Dec. II. Marched to Dandridge, twenty-five miles.

Dec. 13. At Dandridge captured six prisoners with horses, arms, and
accouterments from scouting party of rebels from Bull's Gap.

Dec. 14. Marched twenty miles to within four miles of Morristown,
which was occupied by the enemy with a division of cavalry; captured
eight prisoners from a scouting party of thirty sent out by the enemy,
then moved to Mossy Creek, Tenn., ten miles distant.

Dec. 15. Sent scouting parties towards Morristown and different
fords of the Holston River.

Dec. 16. Marched to Shady Grove near Dandridge, twenty-one miles.

Addenda. 633

Dec. 18 to 21. Scoured the country along the French Broad River
to Newport.

Dec. 22. Near Hosier's Mill captured five prisoners, fifteen horses,
and thirty head of cattle from a rebel guard. Camped at Squire Frank-
lin's, distance twenty-six miles.

Dec. 23. Sent out scouting parties towards Morristown and Dan-
dridge and captured five prisoners.

Dec. 24. Marched to Mitchell's, near Dandridge — having the ad-
vance of the column of two brigades, which attacked the enemy at that
place — charged the enemy's rear with eighty men, losing one Captain
and nine men captured, their horses being shot; engagement lasted till
sundown, then returned with our forces to New Market.

Dec. 26. Marched to gap of Bay's Mountain, near Mossy Creek to
guard flank of our forces during engagement in front of Mossy Creek.

Dec. 27 and 28. Scouted towards Mansfield's Gap — struck enemy's
pickets.

Dec. 29. Engaged the enemy at Mossy Creek in connection with
other of our cavalry forces. Our Regiment held the right and drove the
enemy four miles in disorder. Camped at Stokely Williams'. Loss,
one officer killed and five men wounded — distance marched seventy-five
miles.

Jan. I, 1864. In camp at Mossy Creek.

Jan. 7. Marched from south side of French Broad River into
Beaver Dam, thirty-five miles ; captured eight Confederate soldiers.
Camped at Swans on Indian Creek.

Jan. 8. Marched to Evans, four miles below Dandridge.

Jan. 13. Marched from Evans at i a.m. with 140 men to pursue
Brigadier-General Vance, who, with a force of 300 Confederates had come
over from North Carolina and captured a train of nineteen U. S. wagons
near Sevierville, Tenn.

Jan. 14. Overtook General Vance's command, about 3 p.m., on
Crosby's Creek, twenty-five miles above Sevierville; charged in columns
of fours and routed the enemy, wounding two and capturing General
Vance, his Assistant Adjutant General, Assistant Inspector General and
fifty-two enlisted men, together with 100 cavalry horses and equipments,
150 stand of arms, one ambulance with large stock of medicines, and
recapturing the nineteen wagons and twenty-three U. S. prisoners. The
remaining rebel force scattered to the mountains. No loss on our side.

Jan. 17. Drove Colonel Thomas' rebel battalion of Indians and
whites over the mountains into North Carolina.

Jan. 18. Marched back to Sevierville, Tenn.

Jan. 21. Marched with General Sturgis' cavalry command to near
Dandridge.

Jan. 22. The Regiment, with part of the First Tennessee Cavalry
captured at Indian Creek seventeen rebel wagons and mules, two Captains,
one Lieutenant, and sixty-eight enlisted men. Killed two of the enemy
and wounded one.

634 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Jan. 24 and 25. Marched to Dandridge and Sevierville.

Jan. 27. Co-operated with cavalry command in engagements at
Indian Creek; loss, one man captured and two wounded.

Jan. 29. 30, and 31. Marched with cavalry command to Maryville.
During this month marched 400 miles.

Feb. 2. Took up line of march from Maryville, Blount Co., East
Tennessee, for Chattanooga.

Feb. 10. Reached Chattanooga and camped at foot of Missionary
Ridge.

Feb. 21. Started on reconnoissance with 142 men to Lafayette.

Feb. 22. Entered Lafayette, capturing three prisoners and four
horses.

Feb. 23. Entered Summerville, Ga., capturing one Captain and
two men ; passed through Alpine and camped on Lookout Mountain.

Feb. 24. Marched towards Chattanooga along top of Lookout
Mountain; good road. Camped at Nica Jack Trace; captured two men.
Arrived there on the 25th.

March 2. The Regiment marched under command of Lieutenant-
Colonel Lamborn to Pikeville, Sequatchie Valley, Tenn., and to Wash-
ington, Rhea Co., Tenn., to protect the elections to be held on the 6th
of March.

March 4. Reached Pikeville with the mounted men, the dismounted
men being left at Washington.

March 10. Marched from Camp Lingel to Rossville, Ga.

jNIarch 30. Scouting party in command of Captain Betts sent on
Lookout Mountain in vicinity of Stevens Gap.

April II. Scouting party sent out under command of Captain Betts
to near Alpine, Ga., and returned on the 14th.

May 6. The Regiment left Rossville, Ga., for Nashville, Tenn., to
be remounted and equipped. On the way the train was attacked by
guerrillas near Larkinsville, Ala. The engineer and fireman were killed.

June 28. Campanies G, I, L, and M marched to Springfield, Tenn.,
to procure horses, by order of Brigadier-General Miller, commanding the
post, and under command of Lieut. -Col. Chas. B. Lamborn, a distance of
twenty-eight miles.

Aug. 8. Left Nashville, Tenn., newly mounted and equipped, for
Chattanooga, via Murfreesboro, and McMinnville.

Aug. 15. Arrived at Chattanooga, distance marched 132 miles.

Aug. 17. Left Chattanooga in pursuit of rebel General Wheeler.
Marched to Grayville, Ga., and scouted the country east of Taylor's
Ridge, White Oak Mountain, for three days.

Aug. 20. Returned to Tunnel Hill and Dalton, Ga. Distance
marched fifty-one miles.

Aug. 22. Left Dalton, Ga., via Cleveland, Tenn., for Hiawassee
River to guard the fords and prevent Wheeler's return.

Aug. 24. Arrived at Columbia, Tenn. Distance marched fifty
miles.

Addenda. 635

Aug. 31. At Columbia, Tenn. Distance marched during August
260 miles.

Sept. I. Left Columbia on Hiawassee River, Tenn., for Calhoun, Ga.,
where we arrived on the 3d and remained, resting up, till the 13th.

Sept. 13. Left Calhoun, Ga., under orders from Brigadier-General
Elliott, chief of cavalry, to proceed to Hiawassee River, East Tennessee,
to intercept portion of Wheeler's rebel cavalry under Debrill and Wil-
liams, which had been detached from the main command and was sup-
posed to be trying to make its way down through Georgia.

Sept. 19. Arrived at Sevierville, East Tennessee, having failed to
accomplish our purpose.

Sept. 26. Arrived at Bull's Gap, East Tennessee, and formed
junction with the forces under Brigadier-General Gillem, who was about
starting on an expedition to co-operate with Major-General Burbridge
in the capture of the salt works at Abington, Va.

Sept. 29. Acting as the advance to General Gillem's column, en-
countered the enemy at Jonesboro, East Tennessee, and unsupported
drove a large party, outnumbering ours, across the Watauga River,
killing several and capturing five without loss to our Regiment.

Sept. 30. Arrived at Carter's Station, East Tennessee. Total dis-
tance marched during the month of September 240 miles.

Oct. I. Reconnoitered the country along the Watauga River, East
Tennessee, finding the enemy's pickets at the ford.

Oct. 4. Arrived at Blountsville on reconnoissance, finding no enemy.

Oct. 5. Arrived at Kingsport, East Tennessee, where, on the 7th,
skirmished across the north fork of Holston River with a superior force
of the enemy, and had one man wounded. Colonel Palmer, with seventy-
five picked men, started with a dispatch to General Burbridge, in
Virginia, from Kingsport. Learning when near Estenville, Va., that Bur-
bridge was defeated or retreated from Abingdon, he made his way north
through southwest Virginia into Kentucky by Osborn's Gap, reporting at
Catlettsburg, Ky.

Oct. 8. The main force of the Regiment in a sharp skirmish, while
crossing the Holston River, below Rogersville, Tenn., repulsed the enemy
in greatly superior numbers, taking two ofificers and six men prisoners
without loss to our command.

Oct. 22. Arrived at Chattanooga and went into camp near Mis-
sionary Ridge.

Oct. 30. Rejoined the command at Chattanooga, having marched
530 miles; in addition paroled eleven prisoners, and captured thirty
horses, traversing for a long distance a part of the country never visited
by a Union force.

Oct. 31. Arrived at Wauhatchie below Chattanooga and camped.
Total distance marched since Oct. ist, 456 miles; this in addition to dis-
tance marched by force under Colonel Palmer.

Nov. I to 30. Regiment in camp at Wauhatchie, Tenn., engaged in

636 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

scouting Lookout and Sand Mountains, and Lookout and Wills Valleys,
which are infested by numerous gangs of guerrillas.

Nov. 26. Companies H and K, which have been detached at Head-
quarters Department of the Cumberland since September, 1863, re-
lieved and joined the Regiment, marching from Atlanta, Ga., 145 miles.

Nov. 30. Under orders from Maj.-Gen. Geo. H. Thomas and Major-
General Stedman, left Wauhatchie for Bridgeport, Ala., to operate
with General Stedman's forces against the rebel General Hood's army,
which is moving towards Nashville, Tenn. Arriving at Bridgeport, re-
ceived orders to march north to Cowan, Tenn.

Dec. I to 3. Marched to Cowan on Nashville and Chattanooga
Railroad. On arrival found General Stedman's command had left for
Nashville and railroad cut.

Dec. 7. Returned to Wauhatchie under orders of Major-General
Thomas.

Dec. 12. Companies A, B, C, and D, ordered to Dalton, Ga., to
scout the contiguous country and returned to Wauhatchie on the 19th,
having marched 146 miles.

Dec. 20. Regiment left Bridgeport under order of Major-General
Thomas to co-operate with General Stedman's command at Decatur, Ala.

Dec. 28. Arrived at Decatur, marching via Stevenson, Coon Creek,
Paint Rocks, and Huntsville, making a junction with General Stedman's
command and taking the advance, moved against the enemy under Gen-
eral Roddy, the same night; routed them five miles from Decatur,
and captured two twelve-pounder Howitzers and seven prisoners without
loss — continued the march.

Dec. 30. Arrived at Leighton, Ala., pushing the rebel General
Roddy's command all the way.

Dec. 31. Hearing that Hood's pontoon train was within striking
distance, started from Leighton before day. Avoided the rebel pickets.
Went through Lagrange and Russellville, and in the evening came up
to, captured and burned the train consisting of eighty pontoons and about
200 supply wagons, eight or twelve miles from Russellville, on the Fulton
Road, with no loss to the command. Distance marched during December
360 miles.

Jan. I, 1865. From Russellville went in pursuit of a rebel supply
train, which was moving towards Tuscaloosa, Ala. Overtook it on the
Cotton Gin Road about forty miles southwest of Russellville, Ala. It
consisted of no wagons, which were burned about midnight and we
captured forty prisoners and over 300 mules.

Jan. 2. Started from near Boxar, Miss., to return.

Jan 5. Encountered Colonel Russell's rebel brigade and routed it
near Mt. Hope, Ala., captured and burned his wagon train and took forty
prisoners.

Jan. 6. Arrived at Decatur, Ala., without the loss of a man.

Jan. 10. Arrived at Huntsville, Ala.

Jan. II. Left Huntsville in pursuit of the rebel General Lyon's

Addenda. 637

forces with 150 officers and men. Scouted the country and found the rebels
had crossed the Tennessee River.

Jan. 14. Crossed the river on gunboats.

Jan. 15. Surprised and routed the enemy near Red Hill, Ala.,
capturing 100 prisoners, one twelve-pounder Howitzer and General Lyon,
who subsequently escaped by killing his captor, Sergt. Arthur P. Lyon,
commander of our advance guard.

Jan. 17. Returned to Huntsville. Marched 398 miles during the
month.

Feb. I. Scouted in pursuit of bushwackers infesting Jackson and
Madison counties, Ala., and Lincoln county, Tenn.

Feb. 7. Returned with twenty-six prisoners, including one captain
and one lieutenant.

Feb. 7 to 28. In camp near Huntsville resting the command.

Feb. 19. A detachment left for Louisville, Ky., to procure horses
for the Regiment. Marched during the month 152 miles.

March 2. Left Huntsville. Ala., to concentrate at Wauhatchie,
Tenn., for a prospective expedition. Marched via Salem and Winchester,
Tenn., and Bridgeport, Ala.

March 10. Arrived at Wauhatchie at 11 a.m. Distance 115 miles.

March 16. Left by rail for Knoxville, Tenn., and were there assigned
to the First Brigade First Cavalry Division, Department of East Ten-
nessee, Col. and Brvt. Brig.-Gen. William J. Palmer commanding.

March 21. Started on expedition into Virginia and North Carolina.
Marched to Strawberry Plains, sixteen miles.

March 22. Marched to Mossy Creek, fifteen miles.

March 2^. ^larched to Morristown, fifteen miles.

March 24 to 28, inclusive. ^larched from Morristown, via Bull's
Gap. Joresboro. and line of Watauga River to vicinity of Boone,
N. C, no miles.

]\Iarch 29. Marched to vicinity of Wilkesboro. N. C, thirty miles.

March 30 and 31. Marched to Jonesville, N. C, twenty-nine miles;
delayed by high water. Whole distance for month 330 miles.

April 2, 3. and 4. }\Iarched from Jonesville, N. C, to Christiansburg,
Va., 103 miles.

April 5. Destroying railroad. Major Wagner with six companies
destroying railroad between Salem and Lynchburg. Left Christiansburg,
Va., at II P.M., going towards Danville, N. C.

April 8. Reached Henry Court House, distance seventy miles.

April 9 and 10. Marched to Salem, N. C, distance seventy-four miles.

April 10. At 9 P.M. started to destroy railroad bridges north of
Greensboro, N. C, and south towards Salisbury, N. C, to Jonestown,
accomplished without loss, also destroyed large quantity of rebel govern-
ment property, including the armory at Florence, N. C, with its machin-
ery and about 4300 stand of arms, also surprised and captured the Third
South Carolina Cavalry on April 11, taking about eighty prisoners

638 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

(officers and men), 120 horses, besides many exchanged for those ex-
hausted by hard marching.

April II. Returned to Salem at 3 p.m., making sixty-six miles in
fifteen hours — the flanking detachments marched much further. At
6 P.M. started for Salisbury.

April 12. Reached Salisbury in the evening, distance fifty-two
miles.

April 13. At 5 P.M. started towards Taylorsville, N. C.

April 15. Reached Taylorsville at midnight, distance fifty miles.

April 16 and 17. Marched to Lincolnton, N, C, forty-eight miles,
dispersing the advance of Basil Duke's command of cavalry, who were
in the vicinity for horses previous to joining Johnston's army.

April 17 to 22. Holding line of Catawba River to prevent disbanded
men, not paroled, from Lee's and Johnston's armies, from escaping.

April 23 and 24. Marched to Rutherfordton, N. C, forty-five miles.

April 26. Started for East Tennessee, reaching the vicinity of Ashe-
ville, N. C, twenty-five miles. Received orders that armistice had been
raised, and started for Yorkville, N. C.

April 28. Reached Rutherfordton, N. C, at sundown, twenty-five miles.

April 29 and 30. Marched to Spartansburg, S. C, sixty-two miles.
Our efforts turned towards capture of Jeff Davis. Regiment marched
620 miles during the month.

May I. Left Spartansburg for Lawrenceville, S. C. Major Wagner,
with one battalion, sent to Lawrenceville, where he destroyed train of cars
and captured a large number of prisoners and horses. Balance of com-
mand moved to north fork of Raitnier's Creek. Main column marched
thirty-two miles; Major Wagner's battalion forty-five miles.

May 2. Crossed Raitner's Creek, Reedy and Saludo rivers to Honea
Path, S. C, where a culvert was destroyed on Greenville-Columbia R. R.
Moved on to Anderson Court House, distance thirty-nine miles.

May 3. Crossed Tugaloo River at Shallow Ford and marched to-
wards Danielville, Ga., distance fifty-two miles.

May 4. Moved to Athens, Ga., to prevent Jeff Davis' cavalry escort
from escaping across Savannah River, which was successfully done, he
having been compelled by this movement to abandon his escort and move
across the country a fugitive; distance marched seventeen miles.

May 7. Started on special expedition after Jeff Davis, moving
south from Athens, Ga., twenty-eight miles.

May 8. Crossed Appalachee River and moved, via Fairplay, towards
Covington, Ga., thirty-two miles, capturing seven wagons in which were
$185,000 in gold, $1,585,000 in bonds and securities belonging to several
Southern States, the Bank of Macon, and another Georgia bank, and
several millions in Confederate bonds and notes.

May 10. Portion of Regiment captured General Bragg and staff;
took his parole to report to Brevet Major-General Wilson, at Macon, Ga.
Regiment, now much scattered, guarding fords, ferries, and roads to ap-
prehend Davis.

Addenda. 639

May 10. Portion of Regiment captured General Bragg and stafif;
Davis had gone, Regiment was concentrated and moved, via Covington
and Sheffield, Ga., towards Chattahoochee River. Main column marched
twenty-six miles.

May II. Moved via Decatur, to Atlanta, Ga., for supplies, twenty
miles.

May 12. Ordered to guard line of Chattahoochee River. Counter-
manded. Moved, via Sandtown, Campbelltown and Jacksonville to
Asheville, Ala. Difficulties in obtaining forage. Distance marched to
Asheville, Ala., 146 miles.

May 15. Whilst en route received despatch of capture of Jeff Davis
near Irwinton, Ga.

May 18. Regiment now guarding line from Blimsville, Ala., to
Crossville, Ala., to prevent officers and men, not paroled, from joining
Kirby Smith's Trans-Mississippi Department.

May 19. On account of forage moved westward and held line to
Elyton ; marched to six miles north of Cliapultepec. in Murphy Valley.
Headquarters marched twenty-two miles.

May 22. Moved towards Huntsville, Ala.

May 23. Reached Guntersville, Ala. Marched thirty-eight miles.

May 24. Crossed Tennessee River by gunboat and marched for
Huntsville.

May 25. Reached Huntsville, forty-one miles. Entire distance
marched by Regimental Headquarters during May, 495 miles. Several
hundred prisoners were also paroled by order of Brvt. Brig.-Gen.
W. J. Palmer. Company K was detached at Jacksonville, Ala., and
ordered on special mission to Montgomery, Ala., joining Regiment again
at Huntsville, having marched nearly 400 miles.

June 21. Regiment mustered out of service at Nashville, Tenn.

TELEGRAMS FROM THE FRONT.

THE following telegrams were sent from in front of the Confederate
forces at the time of the threatened invasion of Pennsylvania, just
before the battle of Antietam. The only United States troops con-
fronting the enemy were 200 men of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania
Cr.valry and a company of regulars from the barracks at Carlisle.

Greencastle, Pa., September 11, 1862.
A. K. McClure,

Chambersburg, Pa.
If possible, send the regulars on to-night. They will be invaluable if
we can get them here before morning. How soon will they reach here?

F. B. Ward.

Greencastle, Pa., September 12, 1862.
Maj. a. K. McClure,

Assistant Adjutant General, Chambersburg, Pa.
4 A.M. I have just returned from the enemy's cavalry camp, where
I have been all day. I left there at 8 p.m., and was obliged to walk
through the fields to avoid the pickets. Only about 250 rebel cavalry
had reached Hagerstown by the Boonsboro road, but at 3 p.m. two
regiments, say 1500 infantry, 2, cannon and 25 wagons, came in by the
same road and camped in town. Owing to the rebel cavalry having
selected the farm at which I was lodging for their camp and placed
guards around the house, I was unable to ascertain what force entered
by the other roads, if any, but my impression is that another infantry
and cavalry force, etc. (people say Longstreet's Division), came in by
Carlton road. I could not possibly ascertain the truth of this personally.
The rebel sentinels told me the main body of Jackson's army, with
Jackson himself, turned off at Boonsboro and went to Williamsport,
probably to flank our men at Harper's Ferry. This was confirmed by
the statement of another rebel cavalryman to my landlord, whom he
knew, and called upon on first reaching Hagerstown. A sentinel told me,
and an officer informed my landlord, that their cavalry was ordered out
to go into Pennsylvania, at between 12 m. and 2 a.m. this morning, and
that their infantry would follow this morning. On learning this, I left
immediately for Greencastle, having no one that I could send with a
message. In accordance with your instructions, and as my men would
make a poor show as yet in a fight with untrained horses and miserable
saddles and bridles and without spurs, I have instructed my pickets to
fall back slowly, and shall have to do the same w-ith the small mounted
force here, say eighty men. in case the enemy approaches. The dis-
mounted men will be sent to me on Greencastle road, as fast as mounted.
Lieutenant Spencer's command should do the same or not come on to
Chambersburg. If they had been here, we could have held the rebel
cavalry at the State Line. All of Jackson's soldiers say they do not
intend to injure a single Marylander. but threaten to do all sorts of bad
tilings when they get into Pennsylvania. This movement may be a feint,
but the rebel soldiers do not so understand it, and the fact of their
bringing wagons and infantry shows it is no mere raid. From the con-
ciliatory manner in which the rebels behaved yesterday toward the
citizens (they even went without grain for their horses, when plenty could

640

Addenda. 641

have been seized), I think they imagine they will hold Maryland. One
of their objects in invading Pennsylvania is to let the North know how
invasion feels, and their policy may be to treat the non-combatants
roughly, but I hardly think they will except in the matter of property.
The enemy's cavalry was under command of Colonel Brinn, who resides
near the State line and knows all the byroads. The infantry were Under
the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Drake, and number 1300 men, a
number of recruits having been received since entering Maryland. They
were armed with pistol, saber and carbine, and well clothed and shod, and
were soldierly looking men. Some Mississippi soldiers were reported by
this cavalry as being on the Covetown road, and the soldiers say more
infantry would be in this morning. I tried to obtain a pass to Leiters-
burg from Lieutenant-Colonel Drake, of the cavalry, but he advised me
to wait till morning. 4.30 a.m. A messenger from my pickets on the
State Line has just reported that they heard the reveille blow in the
rebel camp. The telegraph operator will put up his instruments at
Marion — five miles from here. I will communicate to you further from
there. The train will go on to Chambersburg. Is there a clear track?
Has Lieutenant Spencer's party reached you? I shall endeavor to leave
three men in citizen's clothing in Greencastle.

W. J. Palmer,
Captain Commanding Anderson Cavalry.

Greencastle, Pa., September 11, 1862.
R. H. Lamborn,

Greencastle, Pa.
Five hundred of Palmer's men coming on from Carlisle. Scott in-
structs me to confer with you as to ofTficers. Advise me promptly.
Eighty regulars are also coming under Lieutenant Spencer.

A. K. McClure.

Greencastle, Pa.,, September 11, 1862.
Major McClure,

Chambersburg, Pa.
Tell Lieutenant Spencer to come to Greencastle with all his mounted
men immediately. Answer.

W. J. Palmer,

Captain Commanding.

Chambersburg, Pa., September 11, 1862.
Captain Ward,

Greencastle, Pa.
If position of matters does not change, will send regulars forward at
once with horses and equipments. The movements of Palmer's men will
be determined by circumstances; will probably drop there on railroad
some point in your rear and move our forces forward. Give me your
views. You cannot resist flank movements at Greencastle. We can
where my men are now. Train will reach here about 4 o'clock.

A. K. McClure.

Greencastle, Pa., September 11, 1862.
Maj. a. K. McClure,

Chambersburg, Pa.
We have sent a squad of five men, with a light, over the road on a
hand car, to see that it is unobstructed. Please send down men to meet

41

642 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

them, also provided with Hghts, with instructions to show these lights
distinctly, and if they see the headlight of the locomotive to take the
hand car off the track. If you send^ a train down, let the engineer know
that men are on the track, and caution him about running.

R. H. L.

Greencastle, Pa., September 11, 1862.
Major McClure,

Chambersburg, Pa.
We want a Provost Marshal here with nerve. Captain Palmer would
be the man if we could get him, but he has not yet come in. We want
one who will move not only property but the citizens themselves, if need
be. I v/ill inquire of Captain Ward regarding officers of Anderson Troop.
Hand car not yet returned.

R. H. L.

Greencastle, Pa., September 12. 1862.
A. K. McClure,

Chambersburg, Pa.
Don't apprehend any attack before morning. I have the road strongly
picketed. I will strengthen the pickets still more, and think I can hold
my position till daybreak at furthest. It depends altogether who gets
the earliest start, the rebels or us.

F. B. Ward.

Greencastle, Pa., September 12, 1862.
CoL. John A. Wright,

Harrisburg, Pa.
Cannot something be done to provide our remaining 700 men of the
Anderson Cavalry with horses immediately? I have not enough to re-
lieve my men, and they are all on picket to-night again, and will have
to be until I get reinforced. What is the objection to sending 100
of my dismounted men out for ten or twenty miles in the country
and seizing 700 horses immediately? Another of our pickets, an Ander-
son trooper, on the State Line, was captured this afternoon by a dozen
rebels, who made a sudden dash on him on Greencastle road. The
regular, taken this morning, was released on parole.

Wm. J. Palmer,

Captain Commanding.

Greencastle, Pa., September 12, 1862.
Col. Thos. A. Scott,

Governor's Room, Harrisburg, Pa.
From all that we can learn from various sources, it appears that the
advance guard of the enemy has moved during the past twenty-four
hours from a point about three miles southward of Hagerstown to a
point on the road to this place about four miles northward of Hagers-
town. The main body of men, however, appears to be yet somewhere
in the meridian of Hagerstown. Several parties have declared that a
large force is at Williamsport,, but how they reached that place is not
stated. The rebel Lieutenant-Colonel Brinn is said to have been making
exceeding merry at his house about one-half mile south from the
State Line, and that he ia guarded by some 500 cavalry. The rebels upon
entering Hagerstown placed guards at all the roads, with orders to
shoot anyone who attempts to leave. Many rumors have been afloat

Addenda. 643

regarding the advance of squads in various directions, but these have
lacked confirmation. The roads are well guarded, our fleetest horses
being placed at the most exposed points. The Anderson cavalrymen
have behaved admirably, though almost without arms and mounted on
green horses, but arc as cool as veterans. They are splendid material. No
news yet from Captain P.

R. H. L.\MBORN.

Headquarters, Harrisburg, Pa., September 12, 1862.
To Capt. Wm. J. Palmer,

Greencastle, Pa.
You will act as Provost Marshal for the borough of Greencastle and
immediate vicinity, and will be respected accordingly.
By order of A. G. Curtin, Commander-in-Chief,

A. K. McClure.
Assistant Adjutant General of Volunteers.

Greencastle, Pa., September 13, 1862.
Capt. D. H. Hastings,

Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
I have just received an order from Governor Curtin, through Major
McClure, to report to Captain Palmer. Shall I do so? I await your
orders.

E. W. Tarleton,
First Lieut. Third Cav., Commanding Company.

Carlisle, Pa., September 13, 1862.
Lieutenant Tarleton.

Try and get along quietly. I have telegraphed Governor Curtin,
requesting him not to interfere with you or I would be compelled to
withdraw you. which I do not wish to do.

D. H. Hastings,

Captain First Cavalry.

Greencastle, Pa., September 12, 1862.
Major McClure,

Assistant Adjutant General. U. S. A., Chambersburg, Pa.
One of my men, captured by the enemy on picket this morning and
paroled, reports 500 rebel cavalry across the State line under Colonel
Brinn.

E. W. Tarleton,
First Lieut. Third Cavalry.

State Line, Pa., September 13, 1862.
Maj. a. K. McClure.

Assistant Adjutant General.
The rebel pickets have been drawn back on the main roads ; they are
meditating a movement either backward, in consequence of something
that may have occurred in their rear, or for the purpose of arranging for
a dash to-night. I think the latter, as a body of them went over this
afternoon to the farm of Colonel Brinn, who commands the rebel cavalry.
My pickets now occupy the ground they reached this morning, and will
be advanced in the morning to State Line, if we can get some more
cavalry here to act as reserve. At present, as hitherto, all our men are

6] I History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

at the front, which has given the enemy a verj' decent opinion of our
numbers. Rev. ]\Ir. Stine saj'S they told him in Hagerstown yesterday
that all the scouts had returned reporting that the Yankees were as thick
as grasshoppers at the State Line. It will be well to keep up the impres-
sion, and as Colonel Campbell's force comes up to-night, it should come
with considerable ostentation — the locomotives whistling, men cheering,
etc. The rebel infantr\- cannot reach here to-night, and if a dash is made
it will be with their cavalry alone. We can take care of them with 500
infantry and our cavalry. They should come up immediately and encamp
on their arms in line of battle at a point which I will consult Captain
Lane about. As much as possible of the rest of the infantry force ought
to be moved to Marion. How soon can the 550 be here? Tarleton has
not yet reported.

Wm. J. Palmer.

Greencastle, Pa., September 13, 1862.
Col. Thos. A. Scott,

Harrisburg, Pa.
It is of the utmost importance that the newspapers should give no in-
formation whatever of the number of our forces sent up the Cumberland
Valley. At present, the rebels have a favorable opinion of our numbers,
which is an impression that should be kept up by all means in our power
for the next week. Cannot you efifect this?

Wm. J. Palmer.

September 13, 1862.
Maj. a. K. McClure,

Assistant Adjutant General.
All quiet this morning so far. I have sent the regulars to intercept
the wagon train on Mercersburg road, if possible. Our pickets on Wil-
liamsport pike report three Roman candles sent up — at 12 midnight, one
at 12.15 and another rocket at 2.30 a.m. Cannot General Reynolds come
here this morning?

Wm. J. Palmer.
Captain Commanding Cavalry.

Greencastle, Pa., September 13, 1862.
Maj. a. K. McClure.

Please state the number, and name of commanding officer, on after-
noon train. Rebel infantry are at Middleburg, where I was driven from
this morning. To what extent do you propose reinforcing us here? Send
a messenger to Lieutenant Spencer, who ought to be at Marion, ordering
him up immediately. I have not a man to spare. Our men cannot stand
this work much longer; it will kill both man and horse. Captain Palmer
is now out Williamsport road with twenty men. Answer soon.

Frank B. Ward,

Captain Commanding.

State Line, Pa., September 14, 1862, 6 a.m.
Major McClure.

Lieutenant Tarleton has reported to me this morning. All right now.
The paroled regular says he saw five full companies of rebel cavalrj'
drawn up at Colonel Brinn's farm, one mile from State Line, whither they
took him yesterday. Our picket on Williamsport pike at State Line
yesterday p.m. reported he saw a large wagon train of what he thought
was 200 wagons Avith a guard of 150 cavalry passing along road from

Addenda. 645

Hagerstown road toward Mercersburg. If we had more men, that road
could be guarded. I presume the rebels foraged there yesterday. If all
the organized men at Mercersburg could be mounted and provided with
pistols and sabers immediately, they could attend to that road and those
running in the direction of State Line east as far as Upton.

Wm. J. Palmer,
Captain Commanding Cavalry.

Greencastle, Pa., September 14, 1862.
Major McClure.

If the Marion force could come here to-night, it would answer all
purposes and perhaps save Greencastle. I do not think they would have
anything to do but let the fact of their arrival be known, which we would
have circulated on the other side of the line. If the raw men have
made up their minds to fight, they will answer here as well as at Marion.
It is important for the moral efifect that Greencastle and the country to
the Line should not be given up. Our pickets at Upton have just sent in
two deserters from Jackson's army, undoubtedly reliable. One of them
is very intelligent and knows the composition of most of their army
corps. I am taking down his statements. He thinks the cannonading
this morning was at Martinsburg, and says the guns were too heavy to
be theirs — they have nothing heavier than twelve pounders in the
Virginia army since leaving Richmond. He confirmed the report that
Longstreet's Army Corps was in Hagerstown. It consists of four divi-
sions under General Anderson, of South Carolina, Generals Jones and
Whiting, of Texas, and one other. The white-haired General I referred
to as being there, he thinks was General Lee, who was still riding in an
ambulance, from his wounded arm, one week ago, when the deserter saw
him. He says the whole of Longstreet's division was drawn up in line
of battle with artillery posted — this was two miles back of Hagerstown.

Wm. J. Palmer.

Greencastle, Pa.. September 14, 1862, 9 p.m.
Maj. a. K. McClure.

Assistant Adjutant General.
My scout reached Hagerstown at 3 p.m. to-day. at which time he says
Longstreet's Corps, excepting Tombs' brigade, was leaving Hagerstown.
They commenced leaving at about 11 a.m.. and he saw rear of Long-
street's army go over the hill near Funkstown. say two miles from
Hagerstown. on Boonsboro road, at 3.30 p.m. The impression of the
spectators was that they were going into camp theh and there ; but it may
have been only their wagons which stopped — these he saw in five rows,
parked in a field on both sides of the road at point named. The citizens
said there had been fighting at or near Middletown this morning; that
McClellan had been driven back two miles, and that the final issue was
so critical as to make it necessary to order back Longstreet's Corps to
reinforce the rebels. He could not see any troops but Colonel Brinn's
Cavalry and a few infantry sentinels anywhere in or about Hagerstown,
but was informed that Tombs' brigade was still there, encamped two
miles this side of town, on Greencastle road. They also thought there
was fighting to-day at Harper's Ferry, from the direction of the cannonad-
ing. My scout also reports that the division of the rebel army which was
encamped one and a half miles east of Hagerstown. on Boonsboro road,
and which he thinks was Loring's, commenced leaving for Boonsboro
this morning. This would give Loring seventeen and Longstreet

646 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

nineteen miles to march to Middletown— the latter having been encamped
one mile south of town on the Williamsport road.

Two more deserters have come in this evening from whom I learn the
following, which is somewhat confirmed by the scout's statements. One
says the rebel Virginia army consists now of the following divisions :
Jackson's, Ewell's and A. P. Hill's, forming Jackson's Corps and number-
ing 30,000. All these turned off at Boonsboro and crossed the river into
Virginia at Williamsport on Thursday, September nth. Longstreet's
Corps — the best fighting corps, and with the best artillery in their army —
consists of Anderson's, Jones', Whiting's and old Longstreet's divisions,
with several battalions of artillery, including the Washington and Don-
aldson artillery, etc., in all 30,000 — this turned off at Boonsboro and
marched to Hagerstown. The wagons of A. P. Hill's division, after
crossing the river at Williamsport, were returned again and sent up
by Williamsport pike to Hagerstown, where they went into camp with
Longstreet. The next is Loring's division, a weak one, say 6000 to 8oOD
men, which followed Longstreet and encamped one mile east of Hagers-
town, on Boonsboro pike. This may possibly have been Wilcox's divi-
sion, however; if not, the remaining divisions in Maryland are Walker's,
Wilcox's, Loring's and D. H. Hill's — the last containing about 10,000
men, who entered Boonsboro on Friday and were still there (when the
deserter left at 9 a.m. yesterday, Saturday), encamped on a hill a quarter
of a mile east of Boonsboro. He belongs to Second North Carolina
regiment, of Geo. B. Anderson's brigade, D. H. Hill's division. At that
time he heard that Walker's division was five miles back. An officer
told him it only contained three brigades, and that two regiments had
been detached before they reached Frederick. The strength of these four
divisions, which with Jackson's and Longstreet's Corps includes every-
thing they have in Maryland, our intelligent deserter (the New Yorker
whom I referred to last evening) estimates at 40.000, making 100,000 in
all in Maryland. The only divisions he knows of are Gustavus Smith's
and Jos. E. Johnston's, both now probably under the former, as he does
not believe Johnston is well yet. and numbering 40,000. These he thinks
are near Centreville. This man is a gentlemanly fellow from New
Orleans and seems to be acquainted with every man in Washington artil-
lery. If the above facts be correct, neither Jackson's, Longstreet's or
Loring's (perhaps Wilcox's, instead of Loring's) men could have been
in the battle this morning — and they will be in the fight if it is renewed, if
they can get there in time. Our cavalry reserves are at State Line, pickets
in Maryland. Infantry here.

Wm. J. Palmer,
Captain Commanding Anderson Cavalry.

Greencastle, Pa., September 14, 1862.
Maj. a. K. McClure,

Assistant Adjutant General.
Lieutenant Tarleton informs my messenger he was not instructed to
report to me, but is willing to assist. Better recall him and detail Spencer
to command them. My men have had no sleep for three nights, and I
must use^ all fresh men immediately to relieve them. Tarleton says his
instructions are to report to the Garrison.

Wm. J. Palmer,
Captain Commanding Cavalry.

Greencastle, Pa., September 14, 1862.
A. K. McClure.

I do not think it is time, as I have reliable information that there is
but one body between here and Hagerstown and that is on Berry farm,

Addenda. 647

500 strong. It may have been some of my men, as my pickets are a good
ways out the Waynesboro road. I sent two messengers there to-night.
Do everything in your power to reinforce us before morning, as we will
need them then, I think.

Frank B. Ward.

Chambersburg, September 15, 1862.
Capt. W. J. Palmer,

I send you now Captain Byers' cavalry, fifty men. Expect Philadel-
phia City Troop here to-night or morning. Have telegraphed Scott to
send them on to Greencastle by cars. Have ordered Captain of Meyers-
burg cavalry and Captain of Waynesburg cavalry to report here at once
for sabres and ammunition. This will probably give you four hundred
(400) mounted. Expect a cavalry company from Shippenburg to-
morrow some time. Will see what can be done towards impressing
horses, or could you make use of the balance of Colonel Brawn's regi-
ment of infantry? I will relieve Byers at once, and order him to Green-
castle to Captain Love. The Scott company will go on to-night.

John A. Wright,
Col. and Asst. Adjt. Gen. on Gov. Curtin's Staflf.

Harrisburg, September 15, 1862.
Capt. W. J. Palmer,

General Halleck undoubtedly means all the cavalry at Greencastle,
including those which arrived from Harper's Ferry battlefield, and is
believed to be in Middletown Valley. Longstreet's division on the way
from Boonsboro to join the rebel forces engaged with McClellan. Con-
sult immediately with Colonel commanding United States cavalry that
arrived this morning. Much good may be done by harassing the rear
of the rebel army, perhaps capture a General or two.

Thos. a. Scott,
Asst. Secretary of War.

OFFICIAL REPORTS.

General Order ]

No. 3. j Harrisburg, September 9, 1862.

The War Department has ordered us to remain for the present in
Pennsylvania to aid in repelling the invaders from our own homes. This
order I have no doubt accords directly with your warmest wishes, as it
does with mine. To carry it out, carbines and horse equipment have
been ordered to be sent to us immediately, and the Governor has made
arrangements to provide us with horses. For the present we are to act
in the Cumberland Valley as scouts, etc., to gain and carry information
of the enemy's movements, and as a rear guard to impede and harass his
march. Temporary appointments will at once be made of acting Cap-
tains, Lieutenants, Sergeants and Corporals for each company to answer
for the emergency. Each man in the command will endeavor to learn
how to handle his saber and carbine in the shortest time. And remem-

648 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

ber that good discipline, a prompt and immediate obedience to all
orders, is more important than drill, and that the only certain and ultimate
maxim of war is that brave men will conquer cowards.

No further furloughs will be granted and men now absent on fur-
lough will be immediately recalled.
By order of

W. J. Palmer,
Captain Commanding Anderson Cavalry.

Headquarters, Department of the Cumberland,

MuRFREESBORO, Tenn., May 10, 1863.
Special Field Order \

No. 127 i EXTRACTS.

XL The Governor of Penna., having placed the appointment of the
Officers of the 15th Penna. Cav'y in the hands of the Major-General
Cmdg. the Department, he announces the following officers, to wit, —

ist Lieut. Wm. P. Rockhill— -to be Captain of Co. "C" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

I St Sergt. Wm. Thompson— to be Captain Co. "D" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

Q. M. S. of Regt. Geo. S. Clark — to be Captain Co. "E" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

ist Lieut. Henry McAllister, Jr.— to be Captain Co. "G" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

Sgt. Maj. of Regt. Edward Sellers — to be Captain Co. "H" to date
from Apr. 30, 1863.

ist Lieut. Wm. W. DeWitt— to be Captain Co. "T" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

1st Sergt. Abram B. Garner — to be Captain Co. "K" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

1st Lieut. Adam Kramer — to be Captain Co. "M" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

1st Sergt. Anthony Taylor — to be ist Lieut. Co. .'"A" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

1st Sergt. Geo. W. Hildebrand — to be ist Lieut. Co. "B" to date
from Apr. 30, 1863.

1st Sergt. James H. Lloyd — to be ist Lieut. Co. "C" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

1st Sergt. Chas. F. Blight — to be ist Lieut. Co. "D" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

1st Sergt. Chas. H. Kirk — to be ist Lieut. Co. "E" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

ist Sergt. Harvey S. Lingle — to be ist Lieut. Co. "G" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

Com. Sgt. of Regt. Wm. M. Field— to be ist Lieut. Co. "H" to date
from Apr. 30, 1863.

1st Sergt. Stuart Logan — to be ist Lieut. Co. "1" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

Sergt. Frank E. Remont — lo be ist Lieut. Co. "K" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

1st Sergt. Annesley N. Morton — to be ist Lieut. Co. "L" to date
from Apr. 30, 1863.

1st Sergt. Harry K. Weand — to be ist Lieut. Co. "M" to date from
Apr. 30, 1863.

Addenda. 649

The remaining officers will be hereafter appointed for meritorious
conduct.

By command of

jNIajor General Rosecrans.
H. Thrall,
Capt. & A. A. Genl.
Col. Wm. J. Palmer,

Comdg. 15th Pa. Cav'y.

Winchester, Tenn., August 12, 1S63.
Col. William J. Palmer,

Commanding Anderson Cavalry.

Colonel, — In obedience to your order, 1 herewith transmit a sketch of
the country lying adjacent to the road leading from this place to
Larkin's Fork via Salem.

As your chief object, according to my interpretation of the order,
seemed to be to ascertain the character of the road beyond Salem, it will
be unnecessary to speak at length concerning the road to that place.
I beg leave to remark, however, that it is now in excellent condition;
good roads are cut through the fields wherever standing pools of water
render the main highway impassable. The facilities for watering stock
are poor, as there are no streams of running water in the vicinity of the
road. At Salem the road leading to Larkin's Fork, and thence to
Bellefonte and Larkinsville, strikes oflf nearly at right angles with the
former road, running generally in a direction somewhat east of south
to the base of the mountains, nearly five miles from Salem. The
land in this valley is extremely fertile and well watered, the road
crossing both branches of Bean's Creek. There is also near the base of
the mountain, to the right of the road, an artificial water basin, filled
at the present time with good, pure water. From this road, leading in a
northeasterly direction, to the Salem road, are several settlement roads
and bridle paths, which, if passable, would be much the nearer way from
this place (Winchester) to the mountain base; but the recent heavy
rains have washed these paths so badly that it is doubtful whether they
could be used to advantage for military purposes. The prevailing opin-
ions among the residents were that time and trouble would be saved by
adhering to the main road, by way of Salem.

At the foot of the mountain the road makes a turn to the right,
and after running for a short distance in a southwesterly course,
makes, by a long curve, a turn to the left (as you will perceive
by the map), and the ascent of the mountain commences. Immediately
after making the second turn, the road for a hundred yards, probably,
is steep, and a very heavily laden wagon could scarcely be drawn up it.
I think, however, that this hill could be easily avoided by cutting a road
through the field to the left for a short distance. The balance of the
road to the summit of the mountain is by no means steep, and, although
in many places quite rough and stony, there is no obstacle that can
seriously impede the passage of either artillery or baggage wagons.

650 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Near the mountain top, to the right of the road, there is a second
water basin, containing good water. From this point there is no water,
excepting in wells, until the mountain is entirely crossed. The mountain
top at this crossing is quite narrow, probably not more than a mile in
width. On it are several spots of cultivated ground and some few
scattered dwellings, most of which are deserted. The timber on the
mountain is quite fine, and consists mostly of chestnut and the several
species of oak.

The descent of the mountain is quite gradual. The road, which is
very good, winds over a high ridge or spur, upon each side of which is
a deep ravine. These ravines unite at Larkin's Fork, the roads at this
place turning suddenly to the left and running for more than a mile in
an easterly direction, thence in a southeasterly course toward Bellefonte.
The road for some distance beyond Larkin's Fork follows a deep ravine.
It is, although stony, quite level.

I failed to ascertain anything reliable concerning the roads running
in a northeasterly direction from Bellefonte. I have not attempted,
therefore, to delineate them on my sketch. I was informed that water
was very plentiful beyond the mountains. Altogether, this road over the
mountain is good. None of the curves (which are few in number) are
too short to allow a team to draw to advantage. There are no places
over the whole route where wagons could be readily overturned, or
where careful and skilled driving would be an indispensable requisite to
their safety.

I am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Henry McAllister^ Jr.,
Captain Commanding Company G, Anderson Cavalry.

Colonel Cloud's Store,
(On road from Ringgold to Lafayette, along east
foot of Missionary Ridge, five miles from Gor-
don's Mills and three miles from Rossville)

September 11, 1863, 2.40 p.m.
Colonel Goddard,

Assistant Adjutant General.
Colonel, — I have not yet reached Colonel Marker's brigade, of Wood's
division, which is close to Gordon's Mills. I find at this store a wounded
prisoner of the Third Arkansas cavalry, Armstrong's brigade, of For-
rest's division of cavalry, who was shot through the body by a minie
ball and will hardly live. On being interrogated he told me, with every
appearance of entire sincerity, that two brigades of cavalry — his own
and one, he thinks, of Pegram's — encamped one and one-half miles
south of this, on Lafayette road, last night. He says positively that at
the same time two divisions of infantry — Cheatham's and, he thinks,
Hindman's — encamped at Gordon's Mills; whether they were there this
morning or not he does not know, but the cavalry, he says, has not left,

Addenda. 651

except to fall back as Colonel Harker's brigade advanced this morning.
He is so weak that I cannot get many details from him.

His brigade left Kingston and went through Ringgold to Summerville,
thence to Lafayette, and thence, evening before last or yesterday morn-
ing, to Gordon's Mills; their pickets were one-quarter mile north of this
last night, at the point where two of General Crittenden's escorts were
captured early this a.m. Another road to Ringgold turns off one mile
north of this ; distance from there to Ringgold, ten miles. It is better
than the direct road from Rossville, but there is no bridge across the
creek; fording poor for wagons.

I would say, in conclusion, that I am very strongly inclined to believe
the statements of this wounded prisoner.

His brigade passed through Gordon's Mills last evening, and he says
he actually saw the two divisions of infantry at the Mills. He says he
did not see any other infantry between Lafayette and the Mills ; although
there might have been some, he did not notice any. His brigade has
been in the saddle, except to feed, since leaving Kingston. I go on to
Colonel Harker's brigade. Colonel Harker left one regiment, under
Colonel Opdycke, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio, and one battery
near Rossville.

Respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,
Colonel Commanding Anderson Cavalry.

Gordon's Mills,
(Thirteen miles from Chattanooga, and at
intersection of Rossville and Lafayette
road with Chickamauga Creek)

September 11, 1863, 5.15 p.m.
Colonel Goddard,

Assistant Adjutant General.
Colonel, — Colonel Harker's brigade has driven the rebel cavalry to this
point, and his skirmishers are just on the opposite side of the Chick-
amauga Creek. The rebel cavalry can be seen beyond. From the
statements of half a dozen deserters whom our flankers brought out
from the woods as my detachment came along, as well as from the
millers here and a negro, there is in my mind no doubt that the state-
ments of the wounded prisoner are correct as far as they went. Cheat-
ham's and one other division were no doubt here last evening, but all
the infantry left the Mills a little after dark, and the rear of their column
left at one a.m. Nearly all the deserters agree with the report of the
wounded man in regard to the amount of cavalry — two brigades.

We have as a deserter one of General Forrest's escort, who left them
about dark. He says Armstrong's brigade and several battalions from
Pegram and others constitute the cavalry force. He also says General

652 History of the Fifteenth Pennsvhania Cavalry.

Forrest was here personally until early this morning, when he left. He
heard that Hindman was here, but did not see him.

The enemy have three guns. Colonel Harker is disposed to wait here
until General Wood's or other forces come up.

A moment ago tolerably heavy cannonading began in the direction of
Stevens' Gap. 'About thirty guns have been fired so far in the time it has
taken me to write this. It now continues at irregular intervals. I have
sixty-five men with me.

The deserter from Forrest's escort is known to one of my old guides,
who thinks he is reliable. ,

Respectfully,

W. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

P. S.^ — It is about sixteen miles from here to Stevens' Gap by the
right-hand road of the two which fork here. The left goes to Lafayette,
thirteen miles distant. None of the infantry or cavalry took the right-
hand road, although it would be possible to go to Stevens' Gap by tak-
ing a road to the right, live miles from here, on the Lafayette road.
The people have not heard cannonading in the direction of Stevens' Gap,
or any other direction, before it began since I got here this p.m. There
h^s been no cannonading for fifteen minutes at Stevens' Gap.

W. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,

September 11, 1863, 12 midnight.
LiEUT.-CoL. C. Goddard,

Asst. Adjutant General, Headquarters Dept. of the Cumberland.

Colonel, — I have the honor to report my arrival with the detachment
of this Regiment from Gordon's Mills at the hour above stated. I came
across the ridges and up the Chattanooga Valley, intersecting the main
cove road at Macauley's, seven miles from Chattanooga. By the route
I came the distance was sixteen miles.

On leaving Gordon's Mills, which I did a dittle before dark, by the
road down the Chickamauga, I encountered two of the enemy's pickets,
who fired three shots and then ran back far enough to enable our column
to reach, without further molestation, the intersecting road by which we
returned, which starts off one mile below the mills. The cannonading
toward Stevens' Gap was not afterward heard. At the time I left
Colonel Harker was just going into camp. He was expecting General
Wood in the course of the night. This rebel cavalry had been all along
the road we returned by during the day. We saw none, however. Their
picket fires were seen everywhere as we came along. We crossed
Missionary Ridge and Dry Valley Ridge.

I delivered the deserters, six in number, to Colonel Harker, except the

Addenda. 653

one on General Forrest's escort, whom I brought along and now have in
camp.

I am, Colonel, your obedient servant.

Wm. J. Palmer^

Colonel Commanding.

' Chattanooga, Tenn., September 29, 1863.

Col. W. J. Palmer.

Colonel, — In obedience to your request I have the honor to report that
an abundance of forage exists in the Sequatchie (Hog Trough) Valley,
there not having been any forage trains in that section previous to the
twent3'-sixth day of September, when I reached there with my train.
The inhabitants living on the ridge (Walden's) and in the valley
(Sequatchie) report that corn is plentiful for a distance of thirty-six
miles in length and two miles in breadth, the valley averaging four
miles wide. As in most cases, the people living on the ridge are Union, .
but in the valley rebel sympathizers are found. About seven miles from
Chattanooga there is a gap in the mountain through which wagon
trains pass in going to Bridgeport (over the Anderson road). At this
place I determined to cross, but in consequence of the large number
of wagon trains crossing I discovered that I would be likely to be de-
tained for a long time, and therefore proceeded farther on to another
gap (commonly called Poe's road), eight miles distant. It is a difificult
road to ascend, the grades are very steep, and in many places large rocks
project from the earth, which jar the wagons; the distance from the foot
to the top of the ridge being one mile. On the top the road is good
and level. The people are nearly all Union, but poor, and all prayerfully
hope for an early termination of the war. But little forage exists on the
mountain, and farm pursuits are greatly neglected. In descending the
mountain into the valley (Sequatchie) the road is fully as steep as the
one leading into the Tennessee Valley, but smooth, and less difficulty
is experienced in ascending or descending, it being one and one-half
miles from the top of the ridge to its foot, where lives one Mr. Henson,
a wealthy man and a rebel. Out of his abundant corn fields we loaded
our wagons. Along the entire route water is plentiful and springs are
everywhere abundant. It is sixteen miles from Chattanooga to Pce's
Gap (or Poe's Tavern), and eleven miles from the foot of the ridge on
one side to the foot of the ridge on the other, making in all twenty-
seven miles from Chattanooga to the foot of the mountain on Poe's
road in Sequatchie Valley. The distance from Chattanooga to the top
of Walden's Ridge (eighteen and one-quarter miles) can be made in one
day. From this point (the eastern brow) wagons can go down, load up
and return over the mountain to Poe's Tavern, at the eastern foot, in
another day, and from Poe's Tavern they can return to Chattanooga in
five hours, making for the round trip two and one-half days.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,

Geo. S. Clark,
Capt. Co. E, Fifteenth Pa. Cav.

654 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Walden's Ridge,
(Eastern brow, on Anderson road,
eight miles from Chattanooga)
October 3, 1863, i a.m.
Brigadier-General Garfield,

Chief of Stafif.
General,— I find here the Colonel of the Twenty-first Kentucky with
two of his companies that were left here this morning, and fragments
of all his remaining companies which were dispersed at the time of the
attack by the rebel cavalry at 9 a.m. at Anderson's. He says his regiment
was ordered to proceed to Anderson's to help trains up the mountain;
that he had hardly got there yesterday morning when he heard of the
rebels in the valley; that he hurried down the mountain, but found the
attacking party too large for him. He estimated it at two brigades,
under Wheeler. He has taken several prisoners, all of whom state that
there were two divisions present ; also that Wharton's cavalry had gone
over to McMinnville.

The Colonel estimates the entire loss of wagons at 300, being trains of
General Rousseau, General Sheridan, the Anderson cavalry, and a small
ammunition train of General Thomas' Corps. The rebels burned most of
the wagons, and at about 10 a.m. left, taking the direction of Jasper.
Negley's train, he says, passed over safely just before the attack. He ha-
since learned and believes that Colonel McCook's cavalry arrived at
Anderson's not long after the destruction of the wagons, and that they
drove the rebels back up the valley. As this is confirmed by two of
Colonel McCook's men who have just passed here on their way to
Chattanooga, I take its truth for granted, and have concluded that it is
unnecessary for me to go on farther on this road. I shall therefore
return immediately to the foot of the mountain, and go on to the Poe
road, in which direction I have already sent three companies.

Colonel Mitchell's brigade of Steadman's division has just arrived
at this point, and expects to go on toward Anderson's in the morning.
The Colonel of the Twenty-first Kentucky thinks a considerable number
of his missing will turn up.

I am, General, yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,
Colonel Commanding Anderson Cavalry.

PoE Road,
(On western brow of Walden's Ridge,
overlooking Sequatchie Valley, twenty-
six miles from Chattanooga)

October 3, 1863, 7 p.m.
Brigadier-General Garfield,

Chief of Staf¥, Headquarters Department of the Cumberland.
General, — I have just reached here by the Poe road, after picketing the
eastern foot of the mountain at the several roads and bridle paths. I

Addenda. 655

thought it possible the rebels, being hemmed in, in the Sequatchie Valley,
near Dunlap, by General Crook's division above and Colonel McCook's
below them, might attempt to break across to the Tennessee Valley by
the Poe road or some of the adjacent bridle paths. But I find on arriv-
ing here that the fight which took place between the rebel cavalry and
Colonel McCook's yesterday evening was between Anderson's and Ther-
man, and that the result was so much of a defeat to the enemy that they
fied to the Cumberland Mountains by the Therman road and Hill road,
leaving a considerable number of scattered parties cut off in the
Sequatchie Valley, who are still wandering about there this afternoon.

The rebels were followed by our cavalry, and the fight was renewed
on the Savage road, on the Cumberland Mountains, at daybreak this
morning, and lasted with great severity for two hours, the cannonading
at the close appearing, to be more distant than at first. The above is
derived from the son of Squire Roberts, of McLemore's Cove, whom we
met on the road, he having come from the valley above Dunlap this
morning.

A man named Welsh, a Union man in the valley, who saw them all
pass his house, says the rebels numbered 8000. The statements in regard
to the result of the fighting last evening, and of its renewal this morning
at daybreak on the Cumberland Mountains, have been verified by the
report of several other parties.

None of our troops are opposite this point in the Sequatchie Valley,
all the cavalry having gone on in pursuit of the enemy. I shall start down
the mountain into the Sequatchie Valley at daybreak to-morrow, by the
Aleck's Gap road, the Poe road having been blockaded by fallen trees
about half way down. The Aleck's Gap trace is three miles above this.

Twenty-two wagons of the Pioneer brigade are here waiting to go
down after forage. Their escort will remove the obstructions early in
the morning. If the above reports are true, this road should now be
used by trains from Bridgeport to Chattanooga, as it is a much better
road.

I am. General, yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,
Colonel Commanding Anderson Cavalry.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
(At Roberson's, on Pikeville road, two
miles north of Henson's or foot of
^ mountain at Poe road)

October 4, 1863, 5 p.m.
Brigadier-General Garfield,

Chief of Staff.
General, — I have my men picketing and guarding the two roads in the
Sequatchie Valley, at points north of the Poe road and the trails lead-
ing up the Cumberland Mountains, between the Roberson trail (nine
miles north of Dunlap). which was taken by General Crook's division and

656 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Wilder's command, and the Hill road (opposite Dunlap), taken by
General Mitchell with Colonel McCook and Colonel Campbell.

I caught up with General Mitchell on the last-named road on top
lof the mountain, two miles from the brow, at two p.m. to-day. He
had just reached that point with the head of his column, the rebels having
over a day the start. The rebels began going up the same road at three
P.M. on Friday after the fight, near Anderson's, and kept going all night.
At daybreak the next morning Colonel McCook caught up with them on
top of the mountain, and, after a slight skirmish, recaptured 200 mules.
The pursuit was not continued, and our men returned. Some of the
rebels took the Therman road. General Crook went up the Roberson
trace, evening before last, so that he should have headed off Wheeler's
party that destroyed the trains.

I do not think over 2000 came down the Sequatchie Valley; they had
no cannon. General Mitchell thinks Forrest went with the rest over the
mountain from Pikeville toward McMinnville.

The loss of the rebels in the fight near Anderson's on Friday after-
noon was 120 killed and wounded (sixty killed, chiefly with saber) and
eighty-seven prisoners, including Wheeler's Assistant Adjutant General
and some eight other officers.

The Second Indiana and First Wisconsin were the only regiments up
at that time, and they charged them boldly with the saber.

The obstructions to the Poe road have been removed, and, I think,
half the wagons should be sent around by this route to save time.

From Roberson's northward, on both sides of the river, there is
abundant forage ; none south of it in this valley. The rebel cavalry had
not time to feed their horses while in it.

Colonel McCook recaptured in all 300 mules. The rebels got very
drunk on the liquor they captured; some of them must be clothed
entirely in our uniform now. I saw lids of boxes on the mountain
marked "uniform, trousers," etc.

I shall remain at Roberson's for the present, and as we have no
wagons left to haul forage, would it not be best for the Regiment to be
stationed here until the deficiency can be supplied? Please answer. My
men have no subsistence, but are living on the country. We had but
one day's rations in Chattanooga when ordered out, and could not take
three, as directed.

I have a Lieutenant and twenty men in the Tennessee Valley, at and
near Poe's Tavern.

I am. General, yours, etc.. ,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Addenda. 657

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
(Roberson's plantation, eight miles above Anderson's)
Sequatchie Valley, October 12, 1863.
Lieut. -Col. C. Goddard,

Asst. Adjutant General, Headquarters Dept. of the Cumberland.
Colonel, — I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of
October 11, directing me to establish communication by courier from
your (my) camp to Poe's Tavern, and thence to Anderson's Crossroads.
I already have a courier post at Henson's, at the foot of the mountain
in Sequatchie Valley, on Poe road, and one at Poe's Tavern, which is
at foot of mountain in the Tennessee Valley, and I am informed by
Colonel Tillson (through one of my officers just from Anderson's) that
he has a courier line in operation between Anderson's and Chattanooga.
I have sent some men to establish a courier post at Reynolds', on
the mountain, about half way across, and the only convenient place for
water. This will complete the line from Poe's Tavern to my camp. I
have also established a post half way between Henson's and Anderson's,
in this valley, which completes a line from Poe's Tavern to Anderson's
via Poe road. Will you please inform me after looking at the enclosed
sketch, whether I have interpreted the order aright?

One of my squadrons has collected eighty head of cattle in the last
two days, below this in the valley, and has sent them to Chattanooga
by General Wagner's escort. There are more cattle here, but to a great
extent in the hands of Union people, who have very little else left.
I am. Colonel, your obedient servant,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,

Roberson's, October 15, 1863.
CoL. John Tillson,

Commanding Brigade.

Colonel,- — I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your favor of
the 13th.

I understand from it that you have five regiments of infantry
stretched across the valley from the east mountain (Walden's Ridge)
to the Sequatchie River.

There is, as you are aware, a main road extending the whole length
of the valley on the west side of the Sequatchie River. I have all the
roads and trails leading from this main road over the Cumberland
Mountains picketed from Dunlap to Lamb trail, nine miles above it in
the valley. But there are several trails over the Cumberland Ridge,
south of Dunlap, that I cannot picket. It would seem that some force
should be at Therman, and that the mountain trails between Therman
and Dunlap should be picketed, or the main valley road connecting them

42

658 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

be frequently patrolled. The propriety of withdrawing the courier
line across the mountain at Anderson's and making the connection with
your camp by the Poe road has been discussed, I understand, at head-
quarters. This should by no means be done, as it is five miles nearer
from my camp to Chattanooga by way of Anderson's than by Poe's
Tavern, and it will be greatly out of the way to send from Chattanooga
to you by way of Poe's Tavern. Would it not be well for you to repre-
sent this fact to headquarters? General Spears sent me word yesterday
from his camp on Sale Creek that Colonel Byrd, the advance of Burn-
side's army, has his brigade at Post Oak Springs, on this side of the river
in Roane County, and that his pickets extend down the river as far as
Cotton Port (where Wheeler's Cavalry recently crossed). Scouts just
returned from the south side of the river report the enemy's strength,
between Harrison and the Hiwassee River, at 1000 to 1500. The courier
line from Chattanooga to Washington was expected to be extended
through to Burnside's command yesterday. Can you tell me whether the
Little Sequatchie River is past fording above Jasper on the road from
Dunlap down the valley? I have a train out by that route for subsistence.
Do you have any communication with Jasper or Battle Creek? We
have an excellent bridge across the Big Sequatchie River, near here at
Therman. I shall be pleased to hear from you. What is going on below
or at Chattanooga?

Yours, etc.,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
(Roberson's Plantation)
Sequatchie Valley, October 23, 1863.
Lieut. -Col. C. Goddard,

Asst. Adjutant General, Headquarters Dept. of the Cumberland.
Colonel, — Having returned last evening from a scout with a small de-
tachment of my Regiment through the upper part of the Sequatchie
Valley and the coves in the mountains dividing this valley from the Ten-
nessee Valley at Post Oak Springs, near Kingston, I deem it proper
to report that I consider it practicable to obtain, with proper energy,
a sufficient number of cattle and sheep in that belt of the country to feed
the army at Chattanooga for several weeks. And I would suggest, in
case the wants of the army render it necessary, a small mounted force
be sent there, with directions to seize and receipt for all sheep and
cattle fit for meat, excepting yoke cattle and milch cows. If recessary,
I can furnish from my Regiment the mounted force necessary to do this.
I also think that a considerable amount of wheat might be seized in the
same region and ground, at the numerous mills in this valley, into flour
for the use of the army; and if the corn is more necessary for subsistence
than forage, it might be made into meal. Country ox-teams could be
used to haul the wheat to the mill.

Addenda. 659

Lieutenant Window, of the Seventy-third Illinois regiment, Sheri-
dan's division, has in four days collected in this valley in a few miles
above and below Pikeville (a country which had already been foraged
over), 350 head of cattle and over 100 head of sheep, with a force of but
fifteen men. He has exhibited so much energy, and has been so success-
ful, that in case the scarcity of meat still exists at Chattanooga, he should
be detailed to obtain fresh beef for the army from this country. If the
several division commanders send out their detachments for this purpose,
the distribution will not be as equal throughout the army as it should
be. I have ventured to make these suggestions, without being aware that
such an urgency exists as to render it necessary to adopt them, resulting,
as such adoption would, in nearly stripping the country of the means
of subsistence for the citizens.

I am. Colonel, your obedient servant,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Camp on North Side of Tennessee River,
Near Loudon, December 6, 1863,
Major-General Reynolds,

Chief of Staff, Headquarters Department of the Cumberland.

General, — I learn that the steamboats that were coming up from
Chattanooga have returned, finding a difficulty in getting over White's
Creek Shoals, fifteen to twenty miles below Kingston, where there is but
three feet of water. Would it not be advisable, as these steamboats are
of so much importance to General Sherman's command, to have their
supplies, which have been unloaded, I believe, on this side at the foot,
hauled (by pressed teams) to a point above the shoals, and the lightest-
draught boats at Chattanooga to return, crossing the shoals empty, and
load up with stores and proceed up the river, in which there is no
further obstruction of importance? I make this suggestion not knowing
what action has been already taken in this matter.

I reached Loudon with my command last night; found no troops
there. General Sherman having left at 10 p.m. Friday night, and General
Granger's force on Saturday morning. Granger crossed to this side and
went up to Knoxville. Sherman crossed the Little Tennessee at Davis'
Ford, eight miles above Loudon, and I presume is now in Knoxville or
beyond. I understand that a portion of this force has gone toward the
North Carolina mountains to catch a train of several hundred wagons.
I have just received an order to push on to Knoxville, all the mounted
troops being required to pursue Longstreet, who is making his way
toward Virginia between Knoxville and Cumberland Gap. I shall start
immediately. The rebel cavalry reported at 1000, that was between
Loudon and Kingston night before last, has all disappeared, and is now
all believed to be beyond Knoxville, I have ventured to communicate
these facts and suggestions to you because I have an opportunity to do

66o History of the Fifteenth Pennsyhania Cavalry.

so by courier just starting, and General Sherman's communications with
you are no doubt very uncertain.

I am, General, your obedient servant,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
Trotter's Bridge, December ii, 1863.
Major General Burnside:

General, — I have the honor to report that on yesterday morning a
little after daybreak I reached Gatlinburg, fifteen miles from Sevierville,
on the Smoky Mountains road, with 150 men, having approached from a
point on the same road, three miles in the rear of Gatlinburg, which
point I reached by a circuitous and almost impassable trail from Weir's
Cove.

At the same time Lieut.-Col. C. B. Lamborn with about fifty men
reached Gatlinburg from the north by the Sevierville road, which he
intersected at Trotter's Bridge, seven miles north of Gatlinburg, by a
road leading from Weir's Cove, where our forces had divided.

Capt. H. McAllister with the remainder of our force, consisting
chiefly of men whose horses were unshod or unfit to travel over the
rough mountain trails, had been sent the previous afternoon to Sevier-
ville from Chandler's, eighteen miles from Knoxville, where I turned oflf
to go to Weir's Cove. His instructions were to picket the roads out to
Sevierville, preventing anyone from leaving the place, in order that
information of our movements might not reach the enemy.

Lieutenant-Colonel Lamborn and I reached Gatlinburg from op-
posite directions at about the same moment, both finding pickets posted,
who immediately fired, thereby alarming the enemy's camp, which we
found situated on a sleep, wooded ridge commanding both roads and
intercepting communication between us.

It being impossible to make a dash upon them, we were obliged to
dismount our men and deploy them as skirmishers. We drove them from
their position, which was a strong one, in about an hour, but, un-
fortunately the steep, wooded ridge on which they had their camp jutted
onto the mountain on the east, and it was impracticable to prevent the
rebels, on retreating, from taking up this mountain where we could not
reach them, and where they continued firing from behind the thick cover
for several hours. They finally retreated, scattering over the ridges to
the Great Smoky Mountains.

From all the information I could get, I estimate their force at about
200, of which 150 were Indians and the remainder white men, the whole
under the command of Colonel Thomas, an old Indian agent.

We captured their camp with one prisoner, sixteen horses, eighteen
muskets, two boxes of ammunition, several bushels of salt, meal, dried
fruit, etc., and a large quantity of blankets, old clothing, etc. A number
of squaws had reached them the previous evening, and they had evidently

Addenda. 66i

intended remaining at Gatlinburg for the winter, as their declarations
to the citizens in the vicinity proved.

We destroyed the log huts and frame buildings composing their camp,
and have returned most of the horses to their loyal owners. Colonel
Thomas was evidently taken by surprise, as he had not time to get his
hat from his quarters at the foot of the ridge, which one of our men cap-
tured.

I regret to report that two of my officers and a Sergeant were
wounded in the skirmish, Captain Clark seriously in the knee. Captain
Betts received a painful flesh wound in the arm. The Sergeant's wound
was trivial. The loss of the enemy is not known. If any were killed
they carried them off when they retreated.

Colonel Thomas has most probably taken his men back to Qualla-
town, in North Carolina, but I have sent a scouting party out this
morning to ascertain.

I very much regret that we were not more successful. We rode all
night over a footpath that many of the citizens considered impracticable ;
and while I cannot see that we could have done better under the circum-
stances than we did, yet I can now see from my knowledge of the
ground (which was entirely unknown to us before) how I might have
captured most of the party by making certain dispositions before reach-
ing Gatlinburg.

I start this morning for Evans' Ford, on French Broad, nine miles
from Sevierville, and between that place and Dandridge, where I learn
loo rebel cavalry crossed last night.

I am, General, yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,
Colonel.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,

Dandridge, December 13, 1863, 6 p.m.
Brigadier-General Spears,

Commanding U. S. Forces at Strawberry Plains.

General, — I have just received the order to move with my command to
Morristown to protect a telegraph party sent out from Strawberry
Plains.

My pickets were attacked at 10 o'clock this morning by a small scout-
ing party of the enemy sent out (as prisoners assert) from Bull's Gap.
I happened to be near the picket post at the time and immediately pur-
sued them with the reserve, on the Bull's Gap road, and succeeded in
capturing six of them belonging to the Arkansas cavalry, after a chase
of six miles. We got their horses, arms and saddles. I send the six
prisoners to you herewith, together with one other belonging to
Wheeler's cavalry, whom we captured in a recent skirmish with a bat-
talion of Indians, under Colonel Thomas, at Gatlinburg. Also a rebel
soldier named Hightower, belonging to Buckner's command, reported
to me since writing the last sentence.

662 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

I have sent three companies, under Lieutenant Mather, at once to
Mossy Creek, which they will reach before midnight, and will start with
the balance of my command at about daybreak on the direct road to
Morristown. I hope, however, it will not be necessary to remain very
long at Morristown, as I am better able to watch operations of the
enemy by being farther to the east. I have sent scouting parties out to
Newport and the mouth of Chucky, who will report by morning.
I am, General, very respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,
Colonel.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
Dandridge, December 13, 1863, 8 p.m.
(Received 15th.)
Brigadier-General Spears,

Commanding U. S. Forces, Strawberry Plains.
General, — From interrogation of the prisoners I send you, who left
their camp at about 4 p.m. yesterday, 12th instant, at five miles this side
of Bull's Gap, I feel satisfied that Armstrong's division of rebel cavalry
is encamped at that point (five miles this side of Bull's Gap), and that
the other division, formerly Martin's, now Morgan's, of Alabama, was
encamped not far from Armstrong's, toward Rogersville.

The prisoners belong to a party who were sent out on a scout. They
say their instructions were to find out whether or not there were any
Federals in this direction, and that they think the expectation of their cav-
alry was to come down this way and attempt to join Bragg either this
side or the other of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Martin now commands all their cavalry, which they say consists only
of Armstrong's and Morgan's divisions, and of Jones' command from
Virginia.

The point referred to is twenty-three miles from here.
I am. General, yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
Dandridge, Saturday, December 13, 1863, 9 p.m.
Brigadier-General Spears,

Commanding U. S. Forces at or near New Market.
General, — I have the honor to communicate to you that I reached
Dandridge from Gatlinburg, on the road from Sevierville to the Great
Smoky Mountains, this evening at 5 o'clock with my command.

The marauding party of about 100 rebel cavalry which had been
infesting this neighborhood and the south side of French Broad River,
near Evans' Ford and Flat Creek, left Dandridge day before yesterday
evening, having received an order by courier from Morristown that the
headquarters of their command had been removed to the mouth of

Addenda. 663

Chiicky Creek, on the Warm Springs road, about twelve miles from
Dandridge. From all the information I can get here, I am led to believe
that Martin's brigade of rebel cavalry is located near the mouth of
Chucky Creek and Franklin's, and that it is possible this force may be
intending to cross the mountains into North Carolina by the Asheville
road through the French Broad Gap, although they may be intending to
go to Greeneville, by way of Warrensburg.

Will you please inform the bearer what your position and line of
march are, as yours is the nearest communicating force to me, and also
give him what information you can concerning the position of the rest
of our army and of General Burnside's headquarters, also of the rebel
infantry and cavalry.

Will you also have the goodness to transmit this dispatch to General
BurnsidC; as I do not know where to communicate with him.
I am, General, j'ours very respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,

Dandridge, December 14, 1863, 7 a.m.
Major-General Parke,

Chief of Stafif.

General, — A scouting party of citizens of this neighborhood sent out
by me yesterday evening have returned. They went out a distance of
thirteen miles from Dandridge, where the road from here to Bull's Gap
intersects the road leading from Morristown to Warm Springs via mouth
of Chucky; at that point they were within half a mile of the rebel
cavalry pickets. The information they got from Union citizens was that
a train of about 1000 wagons left Morristown, on last Thursday morning
before day, on the road to Warm Springs; that they went as far as the
mouth of the Chucky River without crossing, and on Friday morning
returned to the intersection of the road from Dandridge to Bull's
Gap, and took up the road to Bull's Gap, the last of them passing
that intersection late on Friday night. They also learned that the
enemy's cavalry was stationed yesterday evening at Russellville, and
on the road from Dandridge to Bull's Gap, seven miles this side of the
Gap, and at McCIester's, close to the Chucky River, on the road leading
from Russellville to Chucky Bend — five brigades in all. Rebel scouts
had informed citizens of a skirmish at Russellville on Saturday last with
our cavalry.

A scouting party of forty-two of the enemy came yesterday afternoon,
at 4 o'clock, to the intersection of the road leading from Morristown
with the road to Bull's Gap, at Widow Kimbrough's.

They appeared to be very much excited, made only a slight halt, and
returned immediately toward Bull's Gap. I start at once for Morristown,
to protect the telegraph party's operations, having sent three companies
yesterday evening to Mossy Creek, which they reached about midnight.

664 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

My pickets were attacked here yesterday morning at 11 o'clock by a
small scouting party of rebels sent out from their camp near Bull's Gap.
We pursued them with the picket reserve, and captured six, belonging
to Armstrong's division, with their horses and arms.
I am. General, yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

, Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,

(Two miles east of Mossy Creek)
Monday, December 14, 1863, 10 p.m.
Brigadier-General Spears,

Commanding U. S. Forces at Strawberry Plains.

General, — I started from Dandridge this morning, on the direct road
to Morristown, expecting there to meet the three companies of cavalry
that I sent from Dandridge to Mossy Creek last night. When within
four miles of Morristown, a little beyond McFarland's place, I heard
firing on my left, on the crossroad to Panther Springs, a point on the
Knoxville and Morristov/n road, five miles this side of Morristown.

I found that the firing was at the rear of my three companies, who had
gone on this morning to within a half mile of Morristown, where they
drove in the rebel cavalry pickets, but being pursued by a force they con-
sidered too large for them, and learning that there was a heavy body
of the enemy's cavalry in Morristown, they had retired by the cross-
road referred to to make the junction with me.

I then crossed with a portion of my command, by the Panther
Springs road, to the Knoxville and Morristown road, pursued the scout-
ing party sent out from Morristown, and captured seven of them, with
their arms and eight horses.

I heard cannonading from about 2 o'clock until dark in the direction
of Noyes' Ferry, or between there and Bean's Station.

From the prisoners captured I learned, in entire confirmation of the
report previously given to me at McFarland's house by a boy who had
left Russellville at daybreak this morning and had come through Morris-
town, that General Martin, commanding the rebel cavalry (vice
Wheeler), had left Russellville at daybreak this morning, and had reached
Morristown at about 9 a.m. with five regiments of cavalry — the First,
Second, Third, Fourth and Sixth Georgia — composing Colonel Crews'
brigade, of Morgan's division, and that they were drawn up in line of
battle at Morristown at the time the scouting party was sent out.

The rest of this division the prisoners understood to be over toward
the Chucky; Jones' cavalry, they thought, was near Bean's Station, and
they believed the fighting to-day to be with him. While I was pursuing
the scouting party, the pickets I had left on the Dandridge and Morris-
town road beyond McFarland's house saw. about a mile beyond them on
the road leading from the mouth of Chucky to Morristown, a heavy rebel
column of cavalry, supposed to be a division, passing toward Morris-

Addenda. 665

town, which is two miles from that intersection. This was about 3 30
P.M. ; they did not perceive my pickets.

Our prisoners also assert that Longstreet's infantry had crossed over
from Rogersville to Bull's Gap and Greeneville road, and were now en-
camped on that road, eight miles east of Bull's Gap, and that the wagon
trains were on the same road. I brought my command over to this road,
where I found that the telegraph party had not got up to Panther
Springs; returning, I found it at Colonel Talbott's, eighteen miles from
Strawberry Plains.

There being no forage convenient, I brought the party and escort
back to this point, fifteen miles from Strawberry Plains, with my
command.

The force of rebel cavalry in Morristown this evening was so large
that I cannot consider myself very safe here, as yours is, I believe, the
nearest supporting command, and I cannot see that it is very prudent
to continue putting up a telegraph line toward Morristown while there is
a division or more of rebel cavalry there who have the facility to
return to the place without interruption, even if they now retire.

Until a large force is thrown on the south side of the river, there is
nothing to prevent the enemy's cavalry from cutting the wires whenever
they please, even down to Strawberry Plains.

It is possible that a body of rebel cavalry may be thrown down this
road, in the morning, from Morristown. I await orders at this point.
Please telegraph them. One of the prisoners we captured was an
Orderly Sergeant sent out by General Martin from Morristown this
afternoon to recall the scouting party. I shall endeavor to ascertain in
the morning the condition of afifairs at Morristown and vicinity.
Yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
Evans' Ford, December 17, 1863, 5 p.m.
Captain Gourand,

Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
Captain, — I have the honor to report that a scout, who went within
sight of their fires last evening, has reported to me this afternoon that
he saw what he considered to be one brigade of rebel cavalry at a point
on the Morristown and Strawberry Plains road, two miles beyond New
Market, at about dark yesterday evening (December i6th) ; that their
pickets, thirty in number, were at New Market, and that another picket
was stationed at James Brazelton's, where the road from New Market
intersects the Rocky Valley road (leading from Dandridge to Straw-
berry Plains) ; that these pickets were posted at those points at about
dark. He also understood that there was another brigade of cavalry
back near Mossy Creek.

666 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Finding that the French Broad at my back was rising rapidly, I re-
crossed it this afternoon at this point, three miles from Shady Grove,
where I camped last night.

I got across with difficulty, and the river is now past fording, in my
opinion, at any point between the mouth of Chucky and the Holston.

A small party of eleven rebels entered my camp at Shady Grove a
few hours after we left it, and six were seen about dark on the opposite
side of the river, a mile above this. Whether the eleven rebels were a
small scooting party, or the advance of a larger force sent to attack
us, I do not know; but incline to the latter opinion, from the fact that
two rebel citizens living near Shady Grove, whom we had under arrest
last night, escaped during the night.

I sent out two scouting parties this morning — one to Newport, up
this side of the French Broad, and another, of Lieutenant Gregg and
twenty-six men, toward Panther Springs. Neither have yet returned,
and I have some apprehensions that the last-mentioned party will find
a force of rebels in the rear. I have two boats ready to cross them
here, and have sent word by a citizen to Dandridge to have them cross
there if they pass through that place.

Please inform me where General Elliott's cavalry is, of the Army of
the Cumberland.

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
On Dumpling Creek, December 23, 1863, 3 p.m.
Brigadier-General Elliott.

General, — I have the honor to inform you that I scouted with my com-
mand yesterday evening on the bend of Chucky road from Dandridge to
within four miles of Hosier's Mills, fourteen miles from Dandridge, and
close to the intersection of the Dandridge and the bend of Chucky road
with the road running from Morristown to Warm Springs via mouth of
Chucky and Newport. At said point I was about four miles below and
to the west of mouth of Chucky. I reached that point at about seven
P.M., and found a small detail of rebel cavalry, who had been sent from
Bean's Station, on Sunday last, with directions to gather cattle and
report with them to Morristown as soon as possible. We captured five
of these men, together with thirty head of cattle, which they were guard-
ing; also eighteen horses. I wish to retain six head of these cattle, and
will send the remainder, with the prisoners, to you by first opportunity.
As my force is rather small, I would be glad if some small scouting party
from your command, coming in this direction, could take them back,
in case you require them; they are small cattle. One of these prisoners
states that at the time they left, all the rebel cavalry was on the other
side of the Holston, but that they expected to meet their command at
Morristown about Wednesday (to-day).

Addenda. 667

Learning from Union citizens that a brigade of rebel cavalry had
entered Hosier's Mills at about dark yesterday, and that a regiment was
posted at Franklin's, near mouth of Chucky — the first part of which in-
formation I have had reason since to doubt— I deemed it best to move
my command to this point, which I reached at i a.m.

This morning I have sent a lady to Hosier's Mills, whose report I
shall expect this evening. I have also sent a scouting party of ten men
toward Morristown. From these I have heard that they fell on the
track of a rebel scouting party of forty coming from the direction of
Horristown, on the Dandridge road. The ten men are following them,
and I have sent a company to near Dandridge to intercept them.

I also sent a single scout to Hossy Creek. He reported at 2 p.m. that
no rebels are there, but that Union citizens informed him there was a
considerable force — one said, lying in ambush — about three miles above
Hossy Creek, near Talbott's Station, on the Knoxville road. If this is
so, and you have a brigade at New Harket, I would like to have it led
by the Panther Springs road to Panther Springs, four miles in rear of
Talbott's Station. I have been over this byroad and know it. If this
could be done, I believe the enemy could be damaged considerably.

3.20 P.M.

Hy scouting party sent toward Dandrige reports that they are within
three miles of that place, and that thirty rebel cavalry are in Dandridge.
He also reports a rumor that a brigade was approaching Dandridge
from a road running from the mouth of the Chucky to Dandridge, which
I do not credit.

From Newport my scout reports 100 rebel cavalry in that vicinity.
Forty stayed at Gorman's Church, one and one-half miles south of
Newport, on night of 21st. They have arrested four conscripts at Wilson-
ville. My scout from Greeneville has not yet returned.
I am, General, yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

P. S. — Shall I report to you or to General Sturgis direct?

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
(Hale's, at the foot of Flat Gap)

December 23, 1863, 7 p.m.
Col. E. M. McCook.

Colonel, — I have just moved here from Dumping Valley. I ascertained
this afternoon from my scouting parties that a large force of the enemy's
cavalry was advancing toward Dandridge on the Horristown and Dan-
dridge road. One of my companies attacked their advance guard of one
company at Dandridge, scattering them, when it was in turn attacked
by the enemy's reserve. We took four prisoners, losing nothing.

My rear has skirmished with the rebel advance in retiring on the
road from Dandridge to this place, but the rear is now up and there is

668 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

no pursuit. The prisoners confirm the statements of my scouts and of
citizens who came to me to-day on Dumpling Creek, that John T.
Morgan's division, composed of Colonel Crews' and Colonel Russell's
brigades (the latter with six pieces of artillery), left Panther Springs,
thirteen miles from New Market, on the Morristown road, and crossed
over to the Dandridge and Bull's Gap road, on which they advanced
toward Dandridge ; the advance company having been sent ahead at
about noon from Widow Kimbrough's, eight miles from Dandridge. It
was from this company we got the prisoners. General Martin, chief of
the enemy's cavalry, is along with Morgan's division. There are five
regiments in Russell's brigade and four reported in Crews' brigade. The
prisoners belong to the Fourth Alabama, whose Adjutant informed them
this morning there were 250 men in their regiment. There are only
tw6 brigades in this division.

The prisoners say that Armstrong's division went up the Holston on
the other side — they think to Noyes' Ferry, opposite Morristown. I send
you also five prisoners we captured yesterday neaii mouth of Chucky;
also twenty-four head of cattle (of thirty we captured with a rebel guard
near mouth of Chucky yesterday). Morgan's division forded the Holston
River near Panther Springs. Some action should be taken immediately,
as both brigades are probably in Dandridge, although Crews' brigade
may have kept on from Widow Kimbrough's to the mouth of Chucky.
I should like to consult with you in regard to the course to be pursued,
as I have become tolerably familiar with the roads hereabouts. Is
General Elliott with you? Where is the rest of our Cavalry?
I am, Colonel, yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
At Jim Brazelton's, December 24, 1863, 8 p.m.
Brigadier-General Elliott,

Commanding Cavalry.
General, — Our movements to-day proved a failure. The brigade was
there ; not exactly at Dandridge, but six miles above. If we had got in
its rear and fallen upon it at daybreak, I think it would have been ours,
but at 8 o'clock in the morning we found it entirely on the alert and
moving upon us.

The force that got in the rear of Colonel Campbell's brigade, I am
inclined to think, was Armstrong's division. One of the orisoners belong-
ing to it says so, and a loyal citizen living on the Morristown and
Dandridge road informed me that 2000 or 3000 rebel cavalry passed down
that road this afternoon.

It was not until we had acted in accordance with your order and got
well out toward the intersection of the road running from Dandridge to
Mossy Creek, three miles from Dandridge, that we learned of Colonel
Campbell's condition. We then headed toward Dandridge, and were

Addenda. 669

about to march there to relieve him by attacking the rear of the rebels,
when a dispatch came from him stating that he had swung over into the
byroad on which we were marching, and was immediately in our rear.
He saved all his cannon except one piece.

I am encamped at James Brazelton's, three miles from New Market,
on the Rocky Valley road, and am picketing this road and Hodge's Gap.
Please inform me what there is in front, and what is on the move for
to-morrow.

My camp was here last night, and I came here because my ambulances,
wagons, dismounted men, etc., were already here.
I am. General, yours respectfully,

♦ - Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry,

(Montcastle's on M'ossy Creek, at mouth of
Chucky road, three miles from Mossy Creek)
December 28, 1863, 9 p.m.
Lieutenant Shaw,

Assistant Adjutant General.

Sir, — I have the honor to report that I reached this position about a
half hour ago, having scouted with my command via the Dumpling Valley
road to its intersection with the Mossy Creek and mouth of Chucky road,
at Findlay's Gap, six and one-half miles from Mossy Creek; thence
through Findlay's Gap, on the last-named road, to within about one and
one-half miles of Widow Kimbrough's Crossroads (which is nine miles
from Mossy Creek and at the intersection of the mouth of Chucky road
with the Morristown and Dandridge road).

The farthest point I reached was a camp of the enemy's cavalry,
about one-half mile beyond Emsley Bettus', and one-fourth mile beyond
the intersection of the road leading from Talbott's Station through
Mansfield's Gap to the mouth of Chucky road. This intersection is
about one mile beyond Mansfield's Gap and five miles from Talbott's
Station.

At Emsley Bettus, a right-hand fork goes toward Dandridge, inter-
secting the Morristown and Dandridge road at the Widow Lyle's, four
and one-half miles from Dandridge and one mile this side of Coyle's
place, where rebel cavalry were encamped last night and this morning. It
was at this point (Emsley Bettus') that I found the rebel pickets, four
or five in number, who fired and retreated toward the Widow Kim-
brough's. It being dark, they could not be captured, and I only went on
to the camp referred to, which had been occupied apparently by a small
regiment and had been evacuated quite recently. Before reaching this
point, at the intersection of the Dumpling Valley road with the mouth of
Chucky road at Brooks', six and one-half miles from Mossy Creek, I
found the camp of another party of rebel cavalry, about eighty in
number, who had come there at 11 o'clock last night, and had left at

670 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

about 12 M. to-day, taking the road toward Widow Kimbrough's. I after-
ward went up to Mansfield's Gap on the road leading from the Gap to
Talbott's Station. I learned here that squads and companies of rebel
cavalry had been passing and repassing all day, and was informed by a
citizen that Morgan's command (size unknown), which was encamped
at Widow Kimbrough's last night and this morning, left there at i p.m.
to-day, and took the road for Panther Springs.

I believe this information to be correct, although I could find no one
who had seen them leave. It was corroborated by the fact of the party
which had been at Brooks' Crossroads having been withdrawn at noon,
and also by the existence of the other recent camp which we saw. If
it had not been dark, I should have gone on ,to Widow Kimbrough's,
where there is evidently some force or the pickets would not have been
at Bettus'. I propose to do this in the morning, if you have no other
disposition to make. I have not been diverted from the fulfillment of
orders by twenty-five rebel cavalry, although I sent an officer and six
men to Fain's Mill to ascertain what I could about them after they had
run close to my pickets on the Mossy Creek and Dandridge road at about
noon to-day. They captured one horse belonging to a man of the
reserve, who was getting some baking done at a house just beyond the
pickets. The whole of the rebel cavalry could come from Dandridge or
vicinity to Mossy Creek by the shortest road without meeting any of
Colonel Wolford's force or pickets.

I am. General, yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Fifteenth Penna. Cav., Dept. of the Cumberland,
(Stokely Williams', near Mossy Creek)

December 30, 1863.
Lieut. W. L. Shaw,

Aid-de-Camp and Acting x'Vssistant Adjutant General.
Sir, — I have the honor to report that on yesterday morning my com-
mand, composed of detachments of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry,
the Tenth Ohio Cavalry, and the First East Tennessee Mounted Infantry,
numbering in all about 250 men, was encamped at Montcastle's, three
miles from Mossy Creek, on the road to mouth of Chucky. Being able
to detect from a point of observation on a high hill near Montcastle's
that our forces were falling back from Talbott's, on the Morristown
road, and it being apparent thai; the enemy's cavalry would soon reach
the mouth of Chucky road, between my camp and Mossy Creek, I moved
my command, at about 11 a.m., in accordance with orders from Brigadier-
General Elliott, which provided for this contingency, back toward Mossy
Creek. Lieutenant Rogers' company, of the First East Tennessee
Mounted Infantry, whom I detached for the purpose and sent into the
woods on my flank, immediately became engaged, and held the road
until the rest of the command reached Benjamin Branner's and was

Addenda. 671

placed in position immediately in rear of the houses and outbuildings
of Benjamin Branner and William Mann, on both sides of the mouth of
Chucky road.

My command was ordered to hold this position and to support a
battery placed on the hill in the rear of it, near Widow Mendenhall's
barn, which, I am happy to state, they successfully did (in connection
with a squadron of the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry) in face of a greatly
superior force of the enemy's cavalry, alternately mounted and dis-
mounted, which assailed the position. We captured here one prisoner
belonging to the Third Alabama Cavalry.

This position was on the extreme right of our line, and was one of
great importance, as it commanded the single bridge and ford over
Mossy Creek and the ground on the west side of the creek for a long dis-
tance. In its defense I lost my acting Adjutant, Lieut. Harvey S. Lingle,
who was mortally wounded by a shot through the lungs, and eleven
enlisted men who were wounded, most of them severely, but none
fatally. Of these one ofiicer and five enlisted men belonged to the Fif-
teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, four enlisted men to the Tenth Ohio
Cavalry, and two enlisted men to the First Tennessee.

The enemy retired on seeing our reinforcements come in on the
Dandridge and Mossy Creek road, when I moved my command forward
on the right of Colonel LaGrange's mounted force and behind his skir-
mishers, and pursued the enemy to Talbott's Station, when darkness came
on and the pursuit was stopped by order. If we had had two hours
more daylight I think the rebels would have suffered severely in this
pursuit.

I am. Lieutenant, very respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

He.^douarters Anderson Cavalry,
(Squire Brimer's, on Muddy Creek, five miles from
Dandridge, on south side of French Broad River,
on Newport road)

January 8, 1864, 10 a.m.
General Elliott.

General, — I have the honor to inform you that Morgan's division of
rebel cavalry is encamped on the north side of French Broad River at
Denton's Ford, four miles above Dandridge. I was on this side of the
river, immediately opposite their encampment, with my command last
evening, and was close enough to see their camps, hear their men talk.
hear their bugle sound tattoo ; in other words, I was within about 250
yards of their encampment. From the size of the encampment as well
as from information derived from loyal citizens and the statements of
eight prisoners whom we took at this point and at Turley's Ferry, I am
positive that Morgan's division is encamped at the place stated.

The prisoners state that it came there from Panther Springs on the

672 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

evening of January 5th ; also that they intend crossing a force to this
side of the river to-day.

I am pretty certain that there is no rebel infantry within a consider-
able distance of Denton's Ford or of Dandridge; also that Armstrong's
division of cavalry is yet in front of General Sturgis' cavalry.

The river is fordable at Kelley's house, just below Denton's Ford;
also at Denton's Ford; also at Swann's Island, two and one-half miles
above Dandridge, at Jim Evans' Ford, five miles below Dandridge, and
at Tom Evans' Ford, seven miles below Dandridge.

I have all these roads picketed and have all my men camped at
Squire Brimer's, near mouth of Muddy Creek, and at a point opposite
Dandridge, holding the Fain's Island Ford.

Please communicate with me as soon as possible, letting me know
when you will reach Dandridge. Some loyal citizens could bring the
dispatch to me better than a soldier.

There are several companies of rebel cavalry in Cocke County, near
Newport and Crosby Creek, on this side of the French Broad, who have
been engaged in foraging.

If General Hascall or the commanding officer of the infantry column
on road between Strawberry Plains and Dandridge receives this first,
he will please send it on by a rapid courier to General Elliott, command-
ing Cavalry Corps at Mossy Creek.

I am, General, your obedient servant,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
(Squire Brimer's, near mouth of Muddy Creek, on
Newport road, south side of French Broad)
January 8, 1864, 4 p.m.
Lieutenant Shaw,

Acting Assistant Adjutant General at Beaver Dam,
(Opposite Denton's Ford and Cowan's Ferry,
four miles above Dandridge and on this side of
the river).
Lieutenant, — There are about 15,000 bushels of corn, mostly gathered
and in pens, above and below Beaver Dam ; there are, within a few miles,
some 5000 bushels more. Morgan's division of the rebel cavalry is en-
camped immediately opposite Beaver Dam, on the river, and from the
statements of prisoners as to the intention and the fact that four of
the prisoners had come across the river after corn, I think it altogether
probable that the rebels will cross with wagons to-morrow, for the
purpose of obtaining this corn, that on the north side of the river being
nearly exhausted.

Three days before we reached here, the rebels forded with wagons
above Hays' Ferry and hauled away several thousand bushels of corn
from this cide.

Addenda. 673

I think Morgan's division occupies the position it does chiefly for the
purpose of covering their foraging. If any force is to be sent to
Dandridge, it is to be hoped it will reach there in time to save these
20,000 bushels of corn, besides meat, flour and cattle.
I am, Lieutenant, your obedient servant,

Wm. J. P.\LMER,

Colonel.

Headquarters Andersox Cavalry,
(James Evans' Ford, five miles from Dandridge,
south side French Broad, on Newport road)
January 10, 1864, 12 M.
Lieutenant Shaw,

Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters Cavalry Corps.

I have the honor to report that two deserters belonging to the
Twenty-first and Eighteenth ^Mississippi infantry, Humphreys' (formerly
Barksdale's) brigade, and McLaws' division, who left Russellville on the
night of 6th instant, came into my lines this morning. They crossed the
French Broad at mouth of the Nolachucky, night before last, and met no
troops between Russellville and this point except some straggling
cavalry near mouth of the Nolachucky, on opposite side of French Bread.
They are both remarkably intelligent men, and their stories coincide
entirely on a separate examination. I believe their statements to be
reliable in every respect. They state that Longstreet's army consists
of four divisions of infantry and three of cavalry. The divisions of
infantry are :

First. — Jenkins' (formerly Hood's), five brigades, commanded by
Generals Robertson, Benning, Law, Anderson, and Jenkins' old brigade.
Estimated number of muskets, 6000; artillery, sixteen pieces.

Second. — McLaws' division (now commanded by Kershaw) — four
brigades — commanded by Humphreys (Barksdale's old brigade), Bryan,
Wofford, and Kershaw's old brigade (Colonel Kennedy). Estimated
number of muskets, 5000; known amount of artillery, sixteen pieces, of
which one battery of four guns, commanded by Captain Moody, are
twenty-pounder rifled Parrotts; the rest are six and twelve-pounders
(most of the twelve-pounders are smooth-bore). Major Alexander,
formerly Chief of Artiller\- of this division, is now Longstreet's Chief of
Artillery. Humphreys' brigade has 800 muskets for duty (known). This
is the smallest brigade in the division. The Eighteenth Mississippi
infantrjr, in this brigade, has 220 men for duty, and there are four
regiments in the brigade. McLaws was relieved by Longstreet after the
battle of Bean's Station, for not crossing a creek in time, and sent to
Richmond. On arriving there he reported his division unfit for duty,
being "naked and starving," and it was currently reported throughout
the division, when these deserters left, that it was to be sent to Virginia
and Pickett's division was to be sent from Richmond to replace it.

Third. — Bushrod Johnson's division (formerly Buckner's). Only
43

674 History of the Fifteenth Peuiisyli'ania Cavalry.

two brigades of the division are with Longstreet (the rest having
returned from Loudon to Chattanooga, having been cut off), commanded
by Gracie and Bushrod Johnson. Estimated number of muskets, 3000;
artillery, very little or none.

Fourth. — Ransom's division — a full division, with full regiments in
all four brigades. Estimated number of muskets, 10.000 to 12,000 ;
artillery, sixteen pieces.

Cavalry: Three divisions, commanded by Armstrong, John T. Mor-
gan and Jones. Armstrong supposed to have three brigades ; Morgan
known to have but two, and Jones two (one of Which is commanded
by Williams). Jones' cavalry estimated at 2500 or 3000. General Mar-
tin commands all the cavalry. (My own estimate of his entire force is:
First, Armstrong, 3000; second, Morgan, 2060; third, Jones, 2000; total,
7000 — which is probably above rather than below the truth.)

Position of the army: On night of 6th instant, when these men left.
McLaws' division (to which they belong) was stationed at and around
Russellville ; Jenkins' division was at Morristown; Ransom's division
was at Rogersville (south of it) ; Bushrod Johnson's division, position
unknown, probably at Widow Kimbrough's Crossroads. (]My own
opinion.)

Cavalry: Jones' division, near Rogersville; Morgan's division, near
Dandridge, at Denton's Ford; Armstrong's division, position unknown,
probably at Panther Springs. (My own opinion.) All the infantry had
built huts and were in winter quarters. General Longstreet's head-
quarters were at Russellville.

Supplies : Latterly the men were getting plenty of flour and fresh
beef. Brown and Cox's IMill on Holston, four and one-half miles from
Russellville ; Rader's steam mill, eighteen miles from Russellville and
nine miles from Bull's Gap, near Howard's Gap, and other mills were
being run for the army. Most of the cattle were brought from Cocke
County, between the French Broad and the Nolachucky. Forage was
hauled from this side of the Nolachucky and the French Broad ; it was
exhausted on the other side of the Nolachucky. Wagcn trains were run
from Zollicoffer bridge, with salt, and expected to bring clothing. No
clothing had yet arrived. Rations of salt were still very limited. Bridge
at Zollicolifer and over the Watauga were not yet finished.

One of these deserters has his stockings on the ground and says two-
thirds of the men of his regiment are worse off than himself, and that
his regiment is no worse ofif than the rest of the brigades, division or the
army. The men flock to the cattle pens to get moccasins of the hides
whenever the butchers kill, and the hides are not allowed to get cold.
They think, however, that it will not be very long before the army is
pretty well shod, as they have all the tanneries at work throughout the
country, and two wagons from each brigade were started to Zollicoffer
last Saturday after clothing and shoes.

General information : These men say that the universal talk among
officers, from Colonel down, and the men, was that they would have to

Addenda. 675

fall back to Bristol. The Major commanding the Eighteenth jMississippi
would not build winter quarters for himself, and told one of these
deserters that he did not think it worth while, as he did not believe they
would stay there a week. This was also the general impression among
the troops. There was no talk about retreating by the Warm Springs
road to North Carolina. Bristol was the contemplated direction. These
men say they do not consider their division to be fit for duty, nor the rest
of Longstreet's army, and that if they are energetically pressed they can
be ruined.

The President's proclamation was published in the Raleigh Register
and in the Richmond Enquirer, and was well known to all their men.
Ammunition was abundant. When Longstreet's army recrossed the
Holston, retiring from Bean's Station, they crossed in one ferry-boat.
occtipying a week. One wagon and thirty men crossed at a time. This
was at Long's Ferry. Some of the wagons forded at about six miles
above Brown and Cox's Mill.

A citizen named Kaufman, who left Jonesboro last Wednesday
morning, also came to my camp this morning. He had placed a substi-
tute in the army, for whom he paid $4000, and had run away to avoid
conscription under the new law. He says a large number of both loyal
and disloyal citizens in that vicinity are talking about running away to
our lines, by the mountain route, to avoid conscription. He crossed the
Nolachucky at the "new bridge," and forded the French Broad at
Newport yesterday morning. There was a Provost Marshal at Jones-
boro and about a dozen men. No troops at Greeneville ; sixty cav-
alry at Newport and seventy-five at "Jacks' " (three miles this side of
Newport). He met a few wagons coming from Parrottsville. with flour.
tovv'ard Russellville. Zollicoffer and Watauga bridges not finished. Long-
street's army in winter quarters at Morristown and Russellville. Forage
all exhausted on the other side of the Nolachucky. President's proclama-
tion well known about Jonesboro; had been published in newspapers.

Information, in short, corroborates that previously sent you from
same quarter. French Broad is to-day full of floating ice and is almost
impassable either for boats or by fording.

Reported through the army that Longstreet issues 40,000 rations.
Yours, etc.,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
James Evans' Ford, Tenn., January 11, 1864, 3 p.m.
Lieutenant Shaw,

Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Cavalry Corps.

Sir, — I have the honor to report that a small expedition sent out by

me last night to Clark's Ferry, seventeen miles above this point, on the

French Broad, has returned this morning with seven prisoners, infantry

and cavalry, belonging to South Carolina and Tennessee regiments.

676 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Two of the prisoners (one a brigade forage master), belonging to
Dibrell's brigade, of Armstrong's division, and both on a separate ex-
amination, say that their brigade is at Dr. Boyd's, two miles from the
mouth of Chucky, on the Dandridge road, and within half a mile of the
French Broad River. They also say that the only other brigade in their
division (Harrison's) is, they believe, somewhere near Dibrell's; also
that their division left Panther Springs nearly a week ago, on Monday
or Tuesday.

The forage master is quite well informed, and says he issued forage
to 800 men for duty in his brigade ; that there are but two brigades in
Armstrong's division (Dibrell's and Harrison's) and two in Morgan's;
that Harrison's brigade may be a very little larger than Dibrell's; that his
own regiment, the Eighth Tennessee, has 140 men only; that their cavalry
horses are in good, serviceable condition, getting twenty-four ears of
corn per day now, when on full rations; that all the forage is about
Panther Springs and Morristown and in the intermediate country to the
French Broad and Chucky on the other side, and that they are now rely-
ing for forage on this side of the French Broad and Chucky, getting it
across by canoes and by fording. He also says that Armstrong's and
Morgan's divisions of cavalry were both engaged in the last fight at
Mossy Creek. One of the infantry prisoners was Acting Commissary
Sergeant of his regiment (the second South Carolina Infantry, Kershaw's
brigade, McLaws' division). His brigade and division were at Russell-
ville when he left them day before yesterday, at which time Hood's
division was at Morristown. He came across the river to run a mill near
Clark's Ferry, the three mills their division had about Russellville not
being sufficient. He confirms the report about McLaws being relieved
and sent to Richmond.

I had the honor to send a report to General Elliott yesterday via
Headquarters Army of the Ohio, at Knoxville, it being impossible to get
it across the river in consequence of the ice. In that report I stated that
Armstrong's division of cavalry had probably three brigades. I now
believe he has but two, and I do not think Martin's entire cavalry force
for duty without Jones' to exceed 40CO, or with Jones' to exceed 6000.
Very respectfully, etc.,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
Jim Evans' Ford, January 12, 1864, 10 a.m.
Lieutenant Shaw,

Actg. Asst. Adj. Gen. Elliott's Cavalry Corps Headquarters.

Lieutenant, — I have had a careful estimate made by Mr. N. B. Swann

and Captain Sharp, responsible citizens of this district, of the amount of

corn remaining on the south side of the French Broad from Tom Evans'

Ford (seven miles below Dandridge) to Brimer's, at the mouth of the

Addenda, 677

Big Pigeon (four miles above mouth of Chucky). The estimate only in-
cludes the large plantations of corn. It is as follows:

Bushels.

At D. M. Fain's quarters 1,000

Fain's Island 4,000

Jim Evans' and Fox's ; 4,000

Swann's Island 3,ooo

Cowan's, mouth of Indian Creek 500

Beaver Dam 12,000

Nolan's 3,000

William Evans' 3,000

Hedrick's 3,oco

Dutch Bottom 10,000

Irish Bottom 20,000

Total 63,500

This does not include any corn except that lying immediately on the
French Broad River, and it does not include that on Tom Evans' Island,
seven miles below Dandridge.

A brigade of infantry on this side could prevent any crossing at the
fords or ferries by the rebels to get this corn.

The rebel cavalry has now no other dependence for forage.
Yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
Jim Evans' Ford, January 13, 1864.
Lieutenant Shaw,

Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters Cav. Corps.
Lieutenant, — The enemy are foraging extensively on this side of the
river with wagons, keeping close to the shore in the Dutch and Irish
Bottoms, and in the fork of the Big Pigeon and French Broad Rivers;
also still more extensively with wagons in the fork between French Broad
and the Chucky. All these rivers are now fordable, and there is no ice
running in them. The guards sent along with the wagons are light,
but in consequence of the river being fordable at various places between
Dandridge and the mouth of Pigeon, and Morgan's and part of Arm-
strong's Cavalry divisions lying within a short distance of the river bank
at Denton's Ford and Dr. Boyd's, it is risking rather too much for my
small command to go so far up. There are also 150 cavalry at Gorman's,
near Newport, on this side of both French Broad and Pigeon. I
earnestly recommend that one brigade of cavalry be sent here to-night,
crossing at this ford, which is now in good order. If artillery be sent,
we have a ferryboat here to cross it. They should come down the
Mutton Hollow road to Shady Grove (from Flat Gap), thence two miles
across the river to this camp; total distance from Mossy Creek to mv

678 History of the Fifteenth Peiiusylzaiiia Cavalry.

camp, twelve miles. They should not leave Flat Gap until about dark,
so that information of the movement may not reach the enemy above
Dandridge. Two or three roads, including the Maryville road (from
Shady Grove to Dandridge), lead off from the Mutton Hollow road
toward Dandridge, and small picket posts should be placed on each of
these to prevent any citizens from carrying information of the move-
ment. There are also three or four houses on the way that should be
guarded. These will be pointed out by the guides, of whom I send you
six herewith, to be used with the column if it is decided to send it.

These guides also know the ford well, and there will be no danger in
night fording. The ford is thirty yards wide and with a smooth bottom.
The force can get a good feed here of both corn and hay, and start
to-morrow with my command for the wagons and foraging parties. All
the fords can be guarded as you go up, although if the cavalry corps
makes its movements toward the French Broad to-morrow the attention
6{ the rebels will be so much engaged that they will hardly attempt to
cross to this side, even if they hear of our going up, which is doubtful.
If they should cross a large force to menace us, it will be all the better
for your command on the other side of the river; they can never catch us
in these woods and mountains, as we have the whole population to guide
and picket for us. If the plan is accepted, I think we can take many
prisoners and wagons and bring them ofif, thus crippling their facilities
for foraging permanently. If they should cross the river at about Den-
ton's Ford to intercept us, they will probably send a smaller force than
ours, as they will deem it improbable that a brigade has got on the south
side of French Broad without their knowledge. We would, in that event,
have the smaller force at our mercy. There would be no risk to your
main force in sparing this brigade, as our force of cavalry is certainly
that much larger than the enemy's, while theirs is scattered from the
mouth of the Chucky to Denton's Ford.

If the general movement to-morrow is prompt, some large foraging
parties with wagons can probably be caught in the bend of the river at
Swann's Island, above Dandridge, by taking the EUett's Ferry road;
they are foraging there to-day with one regiment of cavalry.

You had probably better retain Lieutenant Miller and Lieutenant
McGuire, of the Ninth Tennessee, who accompany this, as guides, to
come with the main body when it starts; they are acquainted thoroughly
with all the country, trails, etc., in the vicinity of Dandridge below and
above, to the mouth of the Chucky.

I have arranged to have here at daylight to-morrow the- latest in-
formation from up the French Broad, as far as mouth of Chucky on this
side.

• Please send me some of the President's proclamations; the rebel
pickets at Swann's Island are asking for them.

I am. Lieutenant, yours very respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Addenda. 679

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
(Jim Evans' Ford, twelve miles from Sevierville)
January 14, 1864, 7.30 p.m.
Lieutenant Shaw,

Act. Asst. Adj. Gen., Gen. Elliott's Hdqrs., Cav. Corps, Mossy Creek.
A force of rebel cavalry entered Sevierville this afternoon, coming
from the direction of the Great Smoky Mountains on the Gatlinburg road
at 2 P.M.

The Provost Marshal of the place, who sent me word, stated that he
was in the court-house and saw them pass by, and that he estimated
their number at 300. It appears that they immediately started out on the
Newport road after two small wagon trains, of thirty wagons in all,
which had gone out after wheat. One of these has with little doubt been
captured; the other I have just heard of as being five miles from here,
making the utmost speed for Tom Evans' Ford.

Some rebels have also crossed the river to this side above here, near
Hays' Ferry, to-day. I could attend to the case of the Sevierville party,
but do not like to be between two fires. Please send the brigade at
once, and we will capture more game. The 300 may capture other
wagon trains, unless some assistance comes. I have but about 200 men.
Please send me word at a gallop what will be done.
Yours,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.
P. S. — There are about 200 rebel infantry encamped on south side of
French Broad at Hays' Ferry. A scouting party of rebel cavalry came
down the road on this side as far as Nick Swann's, ten miles from here,
this morning.

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry,
Near Sevierville, January 15, 1864.
Lieutenant Shaw,

Acting Assistant Adjutant General.

Lieutenant, — I have the honor to report, for the information of the
General commanding, that on learning that a cavalry force of the
enemy from North Carolina, under General Vance, had entered Sevier-
ville on the evening of the 13th and captured a train of eighteen wagons,
I started in pursuit at 3 o'clock the next morning from my camp on
the French Broad, four miles from Dandridge, with detachments of the
Anderson Cavalry and the Tenth Ohio Cavalry, amounting in all to less
than 200 men.

After a march of thirty miles we found the enemy on Crosby Creek,
twenty-three miles from Sevierville, and within about five miles of the
Great Smoky Mountains.

68o History of the Fifteenth Pciiusylzania Cavalry.

They had rested to feed their animals, and were then about to take the
road thence to Newport. I immediately charged them in column of
fours, routing their command, which fled in the utmost disorder, throw-
ing away their guns, belts, blankets, saddlebags, etc., and most of them
quitting their horses.

We captured fifty-two prisoners, including Brigadier-General Vance,
brother of Governor Vance, of North Carolina, and a Captain and
Lieutenant of his staff (the Assistant Adjutant General and Acting In-
spector General of the command) ; also about 150 saddled horses and over
100 stand of arms, besides destroying a large number of arms on the
road.

We also captured a fine ambulance filled with medical stores, of which
we were sadly in need; also a quantity of bacon, salt, meal, etc., picked
up by the rebels on their retreat from Sevierville.

We also recaptured all the wagons and mules, together with the
wagon master and twenty-three other prisoners, that were taken with the
train. Four of these were loyal citizens who had been tied to prevent
their escape.

The enemy had two wounded men. Our loss was nothing. I have
sent Home Guards to scour the mountains for dismounted rebels, of
whom doubtless a considerable number will be captured.

The entire force is dissipated, and the men not captured will probably
return to their homes.

General Vance's Assistant Adjutant General informs me that the
force we attacked was about 300 men.

Colonel Thomas with 150 Indians, composing the rest of the invad-
ing force, with two pieces of artillery and ten to twelve wagons, remained
back at Gatlinburg (fourteen miles from Sevierville), where he will
probably remain until he hears of the defeat of Vance.

If some fresh cavalry can be sent here immediately, these Indians and
guns can be captured.

General Vance informs me that he left Asheville, N. C, with his
command on the 8th instant, and that his men have been in the saddle
ever since.

He came through Waynesville, Quallatown and Gatlinburg. Nearly
all of them had new horse equipments, and all were well clad. I have
forwarded the prisoners to Knoxville, and returned the train to its
wagon master.

I am. Lieutenant, yours very respectfully.

Wm. J. P.\LMER,

Colonel Commanding.

N.^SHViLLE, Tenx.. January 17, 1864.
M.ajor-General H.\lleck.

Commander-in-Chief.
On the 14th instant General Vance made a raid toward Sevierville and
captured a train of twenty-three wagons. He was promptly pursued by

Addenda. 68 1

Colonel Palmer, who recaptured the wagons and took one ambulance,
loaded with medicines, 150 saddle horses, and 100 stand of arms. General
Vance, his Assistant Adjutant General and his Inspector General are
among the prisoners captured.

U. S. Grant,

Major General.

Camp of Anderson Cavalry,
General Orders ] Camp Lingle, March i, 1864.

No. 6. j"

It is with regret that I announce to the officers and men of this
command that their patriotic offer to re-enlist for three years or the war,
although forwarded to Washington with a warm recommendation from
Major-General Thomas, has been rejected. The Secretary of War re-
plies that no exception to the rule in such cases can be made in favor
of the Anderson Cavalry.

Although this result is a hearty disappointment to us, fellow-soldiers,
we should not regret that our proposition was made to the authorities.
It has shown them and the country that our hearts are in the right
place, and that while we are not in love with danger and privations, we
despise them when they stand in the way of the prosecution of this war
to its final result in the complete achievement of the honor and prosperity
of our native land. Having been granted, by General Thomas, a leave
of absence of twenty days, in consequence of the death of my father, I
avail myself of this last public opportunity to take a temporary leave of
the officers and men of the Regiment; hoping to find them, on my
return, as brave, uncomplaining and dashing soldiers and in as good
health and spirits as they now are.

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel.

Camp of Anderson Cavalry,

Rossville, Ga., April 15, 1864.
Lieut.-Col. Chas. B. Lamborn,

Commanding Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Colonel, — I have the honor to make the following report, relative to
the late scout in Broomtown Valley, made in accordance with orders
from Department Headquarters, received at 2 a.m., nth instant. Our
Regiment could only furnish thirty-four serviceable horses instead of the
100 to ISO called for in the order. With Lieutenant Taylor and thirty-
four men, together with Dick Turpin's scouts, six in number, I started
from camp soon after sunrise, and marched via Crawfish Spring to Lafay-
ette, twenty-three miles; about five miles below former place we found a
man named Wm. Burd. belonging to an Engineer Corps in the rebel
army, who was -home on furlough. He expressed his intention to desert
and come within our lines and I sent him to you. At Lafayette, not find-
ing any of our cavalry, as anticipated, I left a detail of four men, with

682 History of the Fifteenth Peiiiisylzaiiia Caz'alry.

instructions to remain until near sunset, and apprise me in case the
cavalry arrived before that time, and moved the balance of my party to
Dug Gap, five miles from Lafayette, and bivouacked for the night. Early
on the morning of the I2th, I sent Lieutenant Taylor to ascertain whether
the cavalry had yet arrived, and if so to endeavor to obtain part of it to
strengthen my party. Learned, through him, that the Seventy-eighth Illi-
nois, Colonel Van Blyck, had camped near the town the previous night
and were then marching to McLemore's Cove via Blue Bird Gap. Colonel
Van Blyck told him he could move toward Chattanooga after getting in
the cove, and stay near Mission Ridge same night. No cavalry had been
in Lafayette. Scouts reported a small squad of rebels in the neighbor-
hood of Trion Factory, some eight miles below Lafayette, under Captain
Glover. Captain Davenport's command (rebel) were reported at Price's
Bridge, on Chattooga River, nine miles southeast from Alpine. Deeming
it imprudent to attack his force of some forty or fifty men with my small
party, after my horses had been marching two days, I decided to move
toward Alpine by way of McLemore's Cove, and through Dougherty's
Gap to Lookout Mountain, and camp at Neals' Gap, some seven miles
above Alpine. Marched about twenty-two miles. Turpin brought in
Lieutenant Thomas, of the Third Confederate Cavalry, and private
Coker, of the Thirty-ninth Georgia Infantry. They were living at home
on Lookout Mountain, three miles from Neals' Gap. The former was
sick; the latter, a paroled prisoner, having been wounded at the battle
of Champlain Hills, in May, 1863, and then taken prisoner. Sent
Turpin's party and five of my men into Broomtown Valley, after sunset,
with instructions to scout in the direction of Alpine and Summerville
and report to me at six the next morning. About nine that night Tur-
pin sent in Mr. AUman, a violent secession citizen, living this side of
Alpine. At two the scouting party returned and informed me of a con-
siderable force of rebel cavalry at Alpine. Soon after daylight, on the
13th, came down Neals' Gap and fed my horses at the Neals; also took
one day's forage to feed last night and this morning. Moved up Broom-
town Valley toward Lafayette, scouts in advance, capturing a rebel mail
carrier, named W. M. Moon, at McQuerter's store, three miles from
Neals' Gap, together with the mail, which Turpin brought in to Depart-
ment Headquarters. Moon lives three miles this side of Gaylesville,
Ala., nineteen miles below Alpine, and has been carrying the mail be-
tween former place and Summerville. Learned that a considerable force
of rebel cavalry (probably 2000 or 2500) were camped at Blue Mountain,
fifty-five miles southwest from Gaylesville; also a small force, probably
fifty men, under a Captain Clifton, were at Blue Pond, nine miles west
of Galesville. Sent Turpin and party to Lafayette, while I proceeded
to Dug Gap. Turpin joined me at the latter place and reported that
there had been none of our cavalry there since we were. He met a
citizen from Alpine who told him Captain Davenport's battalion, of some
2S0 men. was at Alpine the night previous, and having heard that a regi-
ment of Yankee cavalry was in the mountain near them, and a brigade of

Addenda. 683

infantry had moved in McLemore's Cove the same day, they became
alarmed and left there at daylight for Blue Pond. From Dug Gap I
marched to the cove and down the main valley road to near the inter-
section of that and Cooper's Gap road. Gave Turpin's party permission
to stay further up the cove. Soon after 8 o'clock last evening we heard
two shots fired where my picket was posted ; I immediately formed my
men in line of skirmishers, dismounted and sent out the reserve pickets
mounted, to ascertain the cause of alarm. The man on post, Pohl, of
Company L, informed me he thought he heard some twenty shots fired
about a mile beyond him, and soon after heard a party of mounted men
approaching. Halting them they informed him they were friends to the
Union. He told one to advance, and as he was coming up, this man
said, "Jake, is that you?" Pohl replied "No." "Who are you, then?"
was asked. "I am a picket for the regiment of cavalry back here," "was
the reply. By this time he was alongside, and pulling out his pistol and
pointing it at his breast, said : "You come with me." Pohl answered,
"Well, you go first," and as the man was turning his mule, Pohl shot him,
and wheeling his horse, ran back to the reserve. Immediately after he
had discharged his carbine, he was shot at by one of the party whom he
had halted. I found the first-named man had been instantly killed. Soon
after, I had all the horses saddled and sent for Turpin, but as he could
not be found, and I not knowing the locality of the side road -, I concluded
to move across to Cooper's Gap. Sent a citizen, named Keys, living
near, to reconnoiter at the junction of Pond Spring and Chattanooga
roads, at Widow Dickey's. This morning he reported that no disturb-
ance had been heard there. I came on to camp, and on the route learned
that the mian killed last night was a citizen and supposed to be loyal,
named John Carlock, living four miles this side of Cooper's Gap. I could
not ascertain any motive for his actions last night nor who was with him,
definitely. It is supposed a man named Bill Etting was one of the party.
He professes to be a scout for this army. I arrived in camp yesterday
afternoon and sent prisoners to Chattanooga.

I am. Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Chas. M. Betts,
Captain Company F, Fifteenth Penna. Cavalry
Commanding detachment.

Dalton, August 20. 1864.
Major-General Steadman.

We arrived here this morning, having thoroughly scouted the country
from Graysville, through Parker's Gap eastward on the old Alabama
road, to within twelve miles of Cleveland, thence across to Red Clay and
to Varnell's Station, thence via Tunnel Hill to Dalton. There are no
rebels, even in small parties, within that range, and none to be heard of
nearer than East Tennessee. The rebel cavalry that cut the road at
Graysville was a Kentucky brigade, under General Williams, numbering
about goo men, which came through Parker's Gap and McDaniel's Gap,

684 History of the Fifteenth Pennsyhania Cavalry.

and went back the same way. The last of these left the old Alabama
road at Blackburn's, eight miles from Parker's Gap, near which they fed
on Wednesday at 3 p.m., and took the road to Red Clay, but turned off
toward Cleveland. Some of the soldiers told the people they were going
to Kentucky. The rebels fed their horses on green corn, with what hay
and sheaf oats they could pick up. They also said they were to meet
General Vaughn at Charleston, on the Hiwassee River.

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Dalton, August 20, 1864.
(Received 22A.)
General "William D. Whipple,

Assistant Adjutant General.
We have been scouting in this district under orders of General
Steadman. If we are to proceed to Atlanta without delay, please
telegraph him.

Wm. J. Palmer,
Colonel Commanding Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Dalton, August 23, 1864.
Major-General Steadman.

I sent out one company yesterday morning eastward to Holly Creek,
beyond Spring Place, and another through Ship's Gap to Summerville
via Broomtown Valley; the last will not return till to-night. The first
company returned last evening, and report a body of 500 rebel cavalry
lying on the Westfield turnpike at the foot of the Cohutta Mountain,
about twenty miles from here, on the road to EUijay. They are apparently
holding that gap for the protection of couriers or other communications
between Wheeler and Atlanta. They came there on Sunday from the
direction of Columbus, having been sent to learn the old Federal road in
the neighborhood of Cohutta Springs on Saturday evening, and to pro-
ceed in the direction of Ellijay. This body has two companies guard-
ing the ford of Hold's Creek. I do not think they intend to harass the
railroad, but merely to hold that gap.

Wm. J. Palmer,
Colonel Commanding Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Calhoun, September 2, 1864.
Brig. -Gen. William D. Whipple.

My Regiment is here — 440 officers and men — all well armed, equipped
and mounted. Can I not bring them at once to the front? Please
answer.

Wm. J. Palmer,
Colonel Commanding Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Addenda. 685

Calhoun, September 12, 1864.
General Steadman.

I am ordered by General Elliott, Chief of Cavalry, to march to inter-
cept Williams' rebel cavalry, and to keep him and yourself informed of
any movements of the enemy. I propose to start to-morrow for the
Hiwassee River. Can you give me the latest information concerning
whereabouts and condition of Williams' and Dibrell's brigades, and
where the Ninth Pennsylvania and Fifth Tennessee regiments are, and
what course they will pursue?

Wm. J. Palmer,
Colonel Commanding Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Headquarters Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry,
Wauhatchie, November 13, 1864.
Major AIoe,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Headquarters Dist. of the Etowah, Chattanooga.
Major, — I have the honor to report that my scouting party of thirty
men, under Lieutenant Weand, referred to in my communication of to-
day, has returned to camp this evening. Lieutenant Weand reports that
he proceeded to Valley Head and returned by Sand Mountain and
Lookout Valley. He learned from a woman who came over from
McLemore's Cove that there had been no rebels there lately, and none
had been on Lookout Mountain. There were none in Wills Valley
nearer than Gadsden, where Captain Wetherspoon was reported to be
with seventy-five men. Another company of Home Guards, sixty men,
under Captain Davenport, had been recently disbanded, but was to meet
again on the 20th instant. A third company, under Captain Freeman,
had been operating with the first mentioned two; but his whereabouts
could not now be learned, but was supposed to be near Gadsden. These
bands had not apparently sent any scouting parties toward Trenton,
the few men who came in that direction, from time to time, being natives
of the valley on visits to their families. It was seldom, according to the
people, most of whom were loyal about Valley Head, that more than
three or four together could be seen about there. Indeed the valley
(Lookout) is so well stripped of provisions and forage that a force of
any size could not be supported, except on a rapid march through it, and
on Sand Mountain there is nothing whatever for man or horse. Nothing
could be heard of any enemy in the country between Guntersville and
Gadsden, and the impression among the people was that all of Beaure-
gard's force had gone on toward Florence.
I am. Major, your obedient servant.

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding.

Camp Lookout, Wauhatchie, November 21, 1864.
Col. William J. Palmer,

Sir, — In obedience to orders, I started last Friday morning for
Valley Head via Dougherty's Gap, with twelve men, taking three days'

686 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

rations; sent a' Corporal with four men on a byroad leading along the
foot of Lookout Mountain, with orders to meet me at Trenton. On
arriving there myself I called on a man named Harris; learned from him
that there had been six rebels there the night previous; tried to get in-
formation concerning a byroad leading to Johnson's Crook, but could
find nobody who knew of any other than the main valley road. I
waited until the Corporal came up, then went on up the Valley; made
inquiries along the route, but could hear only of six rebels, who passed
up toward Valley Head early that morning. Of course this was the same
party I heard of at Trenton. I found a man named Pangle (disloyal)
living at the fork of the road near Johnson's Crook; got forage from
him, and went into camp. Distance from camp to Trenton, eleven miles;
distance from Trenton to Johnson's Crook, twelve miles ; distance
traveled first day, twenty-three miles; road bad. Next day we ascended
the mountain and went toward Dougherty's Gap; met no one until within
three miles of the gap; found a man named Withers (loyal) living there;
tried to get all the information I could from him. He believed Gate-
wood with his gang of guerrillas was at or near Lebanon ; did not think
there were any troops in McLemore's Cove; said that Hammock's and
part of Freeman's gang were at Valley Head, probably twenty men in
all. I then went on to Dougherty's Gap, found nothing there and came
back and took the road toward Valley Head; halted at Ellison's (rebel),
about four miles from where the road takes down the mountain ; met a
woman there who came from Valley Head same day. She said she saw
Hammock there with five of his and twelve of Freeman's gang. Went
into camp at Ellison's. Distance from Johnson's Crook to Dougherty's
Gap, fourteen miles; distance from Dougherty's Gap to Ellison's, eight
miles; distance traveled second day, twenty-two miles; road good.
Started early the following day for Valley Head; found the road down
the mountain pretty steep and rough. One of the horses (belonging to
Company C) became so lame he could not keep up, and I was obliged
to leave him in charge of the guide (Blaylock), with orders to take him
back on the mountain road to camp. When we got within a short dis-
tance of the foot of the mountain I saw a mounted rebel in the road
ahead of us, toward Wills Valley; as soon as he saw us he turned and
ran; we gave chase, but he turned into the woods and made his escape.
Turned back and took the road down the valley; learned from the
citizens that there was a party of from eight to twelve rebels going
ahead of us about three hours. The guide thought they were Walker's
men, from the fact that most of them appeared to be mounted on mules,
the tracks in the road being quite plain. About six miles from Valley
Head I found a trail leading to the left of the main valley road ; could not
learn where it led to, but saw the tracks of a small party who had passed
up on it a short time previous to our coming there. Came on down the
valley to Johnson's Crook, and there heard of the party under Sergeant
Spidle; in the hope of being able to join them I came on to within three-
miles of Trenton, where I learned that they had gone back to camp.

Addenda. 687

Halted with the intention of remaining all night ihere, and sent two men
on to report to you, but seeing the condition that the arms and ammuni-
tion of some of the men were in, owing to the heavy and incessant rain,
and taking into consideration the fact that most of the men had been
up two nights already and were too much worn out to do guard or
picket duty, I deemed it advisable to return to camp. Distance from
Ellison's to Johnson's Crook, eighteen miles; distarice from Johnson's
Crook to camp, twenty-three miles; distance traveled third day, forty-
one miles.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

Lewis Selgrade,

Sergeant Company D.

Wauhatchie, November 22, 1864.
Major Moe,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Headquarters District of the Etowah.
Major, — I have the honor to report that all my scouting parties have
now returned. Captain Colton reached here to-day, having already
reported to you direct all the information he obtained. I place very
little confidence in the rumor that Wheeler's headquarters are at Gads-
den, or that any considerable portion of his force is in the vicinity or in
the direction of the Atlanta Railroad. My scouting party of twelve
men, under Sergeant Selgrade, would have been apt to get some in-
formation to that effect while at Valley Head, if it had been true. I
inclose the Sergeant's report. The sum of the information obtained by
the three scouting parties may be summed up thus : that the bands of
local cavalry commanded by Gatewood, Wetherspoon, Davenport, Free-
man and Hammock, the first consisting probably of seventy-five or ico
men, and all the others together not probably exceeding that number,
occupy the lower part of Broomtown and Wills Valleys, whence they
send up small scouting parties, numbering from five to twenty men, as
far as Trenton, McLemore's Cove, Bailey's Crossroads and Lafayette.
Except for the damage inflicted upon loyal citizens, they do not appear
to be worthy of much consideration. I have a report, also, that Russell
has a party of fifty or seventy-five men along this side of the Tennessee
River, opposite Bellefonte. The rebel squads who come down Lookout
Valley appear generally to retire on Sand Mountain.
I am Major, your obedient servant,

Wm. J. Palmek,

Colonel Commanding.

Headquarters District of the Etowah,
CouRTLAND, Ala.. December 30, 1864, 5.15 p.m.
Col. William J. Palmer.

Commanding Cavalry.
Colonel. — Your dispatch just received. The infantry, if it should move
now. could not reach Leighton before 2 a.m. to-morrow. You will.

688 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

therefore, have to exercise your own judgment as to whether you can
safely make the expedition without support from the infantry. It is
fair to suppose that the pontoon train has a guard at least equal to your
own force. The service of your command will be needed to scout in the
direction of the river and Tuscumbia. I do not wish you to break down
your horses, but leave you free to make the expedition, if you think you
can do it with perfect safety. Send me a commissioned officer with
twenty-five of your men for courier duty. Please inform me whether
you pursue the train or not.

By command of Major-General Steadman,

S. B. MoE,
Assistant Adjutant General.
This is in answer to Colonel Palmer, asking permission to pursue
and attempt the capture of the pontoon train on which General Hood's
army had recrossed the Tennessee River on its retreat from the battle
of Nashville.

Headquarters Fifteenth Penna. (Anderson) Cavalry,
HuNTSviLLE, January lo, 1865.
Maj. S. B. Moe,

Asst. Adjt. Gen., Headquarters Dist. of the Etowah.

Major, — I have the honor to report, as directed by Major-General
Steadman, the operation of my command since the 20th ultimo :

On the evening of December 19th, I received orders to march with my
Regiment from Wauhatchie, near Chattanooga, where I was encamped,
to Bridgeport, where transports would probably meet me to take my
command to Decatur. I reached Bridgeport at 4 p.m. on the 20th, but
found no transports, and after telegraphing the facts to General Stead-
man, at Murfreesboro, was directed by telegraph on the even'ng of
the 22d to march immediately to Huntsville. I accordingly started at
6 P.M. the same day, but was obliged to go into camp six miles from
Bridgeport, on the bank of Widow's Creek, in consequence of that
stream being past fording and of the bridges having been swept away.
I marched at daylight the next morning, and by taking a circuitous
route around the source of Widow's Creek, succeeded in reaching Steven-
son with my wagons early in the afternoon. Here I met Major-General
Steadman, who had just arrived by rail from Murfreesboro, and re-
ceived from him verbal instructions to leave my wagons at Caperton's
Ferry, to be shipped by transports to Decatur, and to march as rapidly
as possible with my Regiment to the same place. This march occupied
four days and a half, the rise of water in Crow Creek and Paint
Rock River making it necessary to go around by the head of Coon
Creek and of Hurricane Fork of Paint Rock River, crossing the spur of
the Cumberland Mountain which divides these streams at their source.
On this route I had no difficulty in fording the water courses, and found
sufficient forage for my command. I reached the north bank of the
Tennessee River, opposite Decatur, at i p.m. of December 28th, and by

Addenda. 689

dark had finished crossing, the infantry and artillery of the expedition,
with Lieutenant-Colonel Prosser's command of cavalry, having nearly
finished crossing when I arrived at the river bank. I at once received
orders from Major-General Steadman to take command of Lieutenant-
Colonel Prosser's Cavalry (detachments of the Second Tennessee and
Tenth, Twelfth and Thirteenth Indiana, numbering in all about 300
efifective men), in connection with my own Regiment, and to advance
on the Courtland road. After feeding the horses I started at 8 p.m.,
and on reaching a hill two miles from Decatur, saw the camp fires of the
enemy on an elevation about two miles beyond. Halting the command,
I took a battalion of 130 men of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry and
advanced to reconnoiter the enemy's strength and position. On nearing
the lights, their pickets fired, when I ordered my advance guard of
thirty men to charge, which they did so boldly that the enemy, who
proved to be Colonel Winde's regiment, of Roddy's command, had not
time to form, but fled in disorder down the road, followed closely by my
advance guard for one mile, when the enemy attempted to make a stand
to cover his artillery. Another vigorous charge by our advance; how-
ever, drove him from his guns (two six-pounders), which fell into our
hands, with all the horses standing hitched to them in the road. We
then went into camp (at 10 p.m.) to rest the men and animals for the
next day's work. Thus in less than four hours after landing from the
boats at Decatur we had advanced, in the night, six miles in a country
and against an enemy of which we were almost entirely ignorant, and
had taken possession of the camp and artillery of his rear guard.

Early the next morning (29th) I sent Lieutenant-Colonel Prosser
with his command on the main Courtland road, while I advanced with the
Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry by the Brown's Ferry and Courtland
road, both for the purpose of meeting the flank movement of any force
that might come up from Bainbridge, where Hood's army had just
crossed the Tennessee River, and also to enable me to get in the rear of
Roddy's force, if practicable, while he was being attacked by Colonel
Prosser in front. Colonel Prosser first encountered the enemy at Hills-
boro, five miles from our camp, and after a running skirmish of five miles
more, met General Roddy's main force, drawn up in two lines at Pond
Spring; without hesitation he charged it in the most gallant manner and
broke both lines of the enemy, routing him so completely that he hardly
attempted to make another stand, but fled ingloriously through Court-
land and for eight miles beyond to Town Creek, on the banks of which
General Roddy succeeded in re-forming such portion of his command
as had not taken advantage of their two successive defeats to go home
and spend Christmas with their families. Colonel Prosser's attack was
so vigorous that my force on the Brown's Ferry road, having several
miles the longer distance to march, and in an unknown country, did not
have time to reach the flank oY rear of the enemy. Forty-five prisoners
were captured in this aiifair, including three commissioned officers; the
enemy also lost one man killed and two wounded. Colonel Prosser's loss

44

690 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

was one man wounded. It appeared that Patterson's (so-called) brigade
of Roddy's command having crossed at Bainbridge, had come up the
preceding evening to Pond Spring to reinforce Roddy and constituted,
with the balance of Winde's regiment, the force in our front on this day.
Being now within half a day's march of Bainbridge, where I knew the
whole of Forrest's cavalry had just crossed the river, it was necessary
to advance with more caution. We reached Leighton, however, thirteen
miles west of Courtland, by i p.m. of the next day, Friday, December
30th, having skirmished nearly all the way with flying parties of Roddy's
cavalry, who attempted to delay us by burning a bridge over Town
Creek, on the Bainbridge road, and by some show of holding the ford of
the same stream on the main Tuscumbia road. Most of the latter force
drifted in squads southward toward the mountains, the remainder, with
General Roddy, taking the roads to Tuscumbia and Florence. Toward
dark a new force appeared in our front on the Tuscumbia road, believed
to be Armstrong's brigade, which I afterward learned definitely had been
sent back by Forrest from Barton Station to reinforce Roddy and
protect General Hood's trains. At Leighton I learned that Hood had
commenced crossing the river at Bainbridge on Sunday morning and
finished on Tuesday evening, marching at once toward Corinth; his
railroad had never been in operation east of Cane Creek, three miles
west of Tuscumbia. I also learned that the pontoon bridge had been
taken up on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, and that the entire
pontoon train of 200 wagons had passed through Leighton on Thursday
and camped at La Grange the same night, and that it was bound for
Columbus, Miss., with a comparatively small guard. Roddy's so-called
division of cavalry had apparently been relied upon to prevent any
advance of our forces until the train could get to a safe distance, but his
men had become so demoralized by their successive defeats that we could
afford to disregard him.

Having communicated with Major-General Steadman, who left' me
free to make the expedition or not, as I might deem best, I started from
Leighton before daylight on Saturday morning, December 31st, taking
a trail which enabled us to avoid Armstrong's force and to get in the
rear of a portion of Roddy's command at La Grange, where we captured
Col. Jim Warren, of the Tenth (Fifth) Alabama Cavalry, and some other
prisoners. About i p.m. we passed through Russellville, where we en-
countered another portion of Roddy's force, which had just arrived
from Tuscumbia, and drove it out on the Tuscalobsa road, while
we kept on the Cotton Gin or Bull Mountain road, after the train.
Some attempt was made to delay us by burning a bridge over Cedar
Creek, but we found a ford and caught up with the rear of the
pontoon train at dark, ten miles beyond Russellville. We met no
resistance, and our advance guard rode through to the front of the
train, which extended for five miles, and consisted of seventy-eight
pontoon boats and about 200 wagons, with all the necessary accouter-
ments and material, engineering instruments, etc., and all the mules and

Addenda. 691

oxen, except what the pontooniers and teamsters were able to cut loose
and ride off, were standing hitched to the wagons. Three boats had been
set afire, but so carelessly that no damage had been done. We captured
a few prisoners, and went into camp at about the center of the train,
fed our horses, and I then started the entire command out in either
direction to burn the train, which was done in the most thorough
manner, and occupied till 3 a.m. I should have been glad to bring the
pontoon train — which was built at Atlanta last winter, and was an ex-
ceedingly well-appointed one— back to our lines, but the condition of the
mules, the mountainous character of the country, and the presence in our
rear of a force of the enemy's cavalry estimated at three times our own
strength, prevented. I had also learned from a negro servant of Cap-
tain Cobb, of the engineers, who commanded the train, that a large
supply train of General Hood, bound from Barton Station to Tuscaloosa,
was ahead.

Early next morning (Sunday) I pushed on through Nauvoo, taking
the Aberdeen road, which I knew would flank the train. I led a detach-
ment from near Bexar across by a trail to head the train on the Cotton
Gin road, and sent another, under Lieutenant-Colonel Lamborn, to
follow it, and by 10 p.m. had surprised it in a camp a few miles over the
State line in Itawamba County, Miss. It consisted of no wagons and
over 500 mules. We burned the wagons, shot or sabered all the
mules we could not lead off or use to mount prisoners, and started
back. In one of the wagons was Colonel McCrosky, of Hood's in-
fantry, who had been badly wounded at Franklin. I left a tent with
him, some stores, and one of the prisoners to take care of him. About
twenty of the teamsters were colored United States soldiers of the
garrison captured by Hood at Dalton ; these came back with us. We re-
turned via the Tollgate and the old military and Hackleburg roads, captur-
ing an ambulance with i^s guard on the way, to within twenty-five miles
south of Russellville, when I found that Roddey's force, and the so-called
brigades cf Bitfle and Russell were already stationed in our front at
Bear Creek, and on the Biler road, toward Moulton, to retard us, while
Armstrong was reported as being in pursuit. The country was very
difficult and rugged, with few roads or trails and scarcely any forage,
but we evaded, by a night march of twenty-three miles, all the forces of
the enemy except Colonel Russell, whom we attacked unexpectedly on
the Moulton and Tuscaloosa road, twelve miles east of Thorn Hill, on
Wednesday noon (Lieutenant-Colonel Prosser having the advance),
routing him so speedily and completely that he did not delay our
march twenty minutes, and this only to pick up prisoners and burn his
five wagons, including his headquarters' wagons, out of which we got
all the brigade and other official papers. We had but a few hours pre-
viously captured, with its guard of three men, a small mail bound for
Tuscaloosa. About fifty or seventy-five conscripts from both sides of the
Tennessee River, that Russell was hustling off to Tuscaloosa, wete re-
leased by our attack: also eight Indian sold:ers captured by Russell, near

692 History of the I'iftcciith Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Decatur. We then continued our march unmolested by way of Mount
Hope toward Leighton, but learning, when within ten miles of that place,
that all our troops had returned to Decatur, we came on by easy marches
to the same post, reaching it on Friday evening, 6th instant.

The whole distance marched from the time of leaving Decatur, nine
days previously, was 265 miles, and about 400 miles from the time of
leaving Chattanooga, two weeks and three days previous.

My entire command numbered less than 600 men, consisting of the
Fifteenth Pennsylvania (Anderson) Cavalry, commanded by Lieut. -Col.
Charles B. Lamborn, and detachments of the Second Tennessee and
Tenth, Twelfth and Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, commanded by Lieut-
Col. William F. Prosser. To these officers and all those under them
much credit is due for their gallantry and energy, as well as to all their
men, for the dash and courage with which they attacked any enemy that
appeared, and for the patient manner with which they bore, on the most
scanty rations, the severe fatigue of this expedition. I desire particularly
to recommend for honorable mention in general orders Serg. Arthur P.
Lyon, of Company A, of the Anderson Cavalry, for repeated acts of
marked bravery during this short campaign, including the capture of two
pieces of artillery, which fell into his hands on the night of December
28th, six miles from Decatur, on the Courtland road, by a daring charge
of our advance guard of fifteen men, which he led on this occasion.

We took about 150 prisoners after leaving Leighton, including two
Colonels (one of whom was left in consequence of his wounds), two
Captains and six Lieutenants, and destroyed in all between 750 and 1000
stand of arms, and captured a considerable number of pistols.

Our entire loss was one man killed and two wounded, all of Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Prosser's command, in charge on Russell's force.

The whole of Forrest's cavalry, except Armstrong's brigade, was at
Okolona, Miss., within one day's march of us, when the supply train was
captured. He had been sent there as soon as he crossed at Bainbridge,
on Tuesday evening, to repel our cavalry from Memphis, who had
destroyed the railroad for twenty miles near and above Okolona. I
do not think General Hood, brought across the Tennessee River at
Bainbridge more than 12,000 infantry and thirty-five pieces of artillery.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Colonel Commanding

Headquarters Fifteenth Penna. (Anderson) Cavalry,
HuNTSviLLE, January 17, 1865.
Major Sinclair,

Assistant Adjutant General Fourth Army Corps.

Major,— I have the honor to report that while resting the horses of

my Regiment in camp near Huntsville, under orders from Major-General

Thomas, I was directed, on the evening of January 13th, by General

Wood, commanding Fourth Army Corps, to march immediately in

Addenda. 693

pursuit of the rebel General Lyon, who was thought to have crossed the
Paint Rock River when pressed by our infantry, under General Cruft,
and to be endeavoring to cross to the south side of the Tennessee River,
between the mouth of Paint Rock and the mouth of Flint River.
On reaching the mouth of Paint Rock River, I ascertained that but
eighty rebels had crossed to the west side of that stream, and that
all of this party had already succeeded in getting across the Tennes-
see at Clarksville. I also learned from the gunboats, that the enemy
had crossed his artillery and planted it at Beard's Bluff, between
Guntersville and Fort Deposit, to protect the crossing of those of his
men still remiaining on the north bank. They had put one shell through
the gunboat "General Grant." I also learned that our infantry, under
General Cruft, had returned to the railroad, giving up the pursuit. I
then concluded to cross the Tennessee River with my command, which
I did at Clarksville, near the mouth of Flint River, Captain Morton, of
the gunboat "General Thomas," and Captain Watson, of the "General
Grant," setting the Regiment across in two hours. From Clarksville I
marched across Sand Mountain on the Warrenton road, as far as Shoal
Creek, within five miles of Warrenton, when, learning from a reliable
source that General Lyon had passed through Warrington at 11 o'clock
that morning with between 200 and 300 men and one piece of artillery,
taking the road to Tuscaloosa, and that it was probable he would camp
the same night at Red Hill, I turned to the right and marched toward
Summit, for the purpose of getting in his rear and surprising him, if
possible, by daylight. At 4 a.m. I descended Sand Mountain at Cold
Spring Gap, three miles from Summit, and struck the Warrington and
Tuscaloosa road, two miles in the rear of Red Hill, having first detached
Lieutenant-Colonel Lamborn with one battalion of fifty men to take the
back valley road leading from Cold Spring to Feenister's Mill, where I
knew one of Lyon's regiments was encamped with the artillery. With
the other two battalions I moved along the main road toward War-
renton, passing, when within one mile of Red Hill, a camp of about 150 of
the enemy, who did not discover our presence until I had passed by them
with one battalion. With this I pushed on to capture General Lyon, who
was quartered with his stafif and escort at the house of Tom Noble, half
a mile beyond, leaving an orderly to direct the rear battalion, under
Captain Colton, to capture the enemy's camp. This was done, nearly all
the horses and arms and most of the men being captured, the remainder
of the men making their escape on foot in the dark. In the meantime
my advance guard had reached General Lyon's headquarters and cap-
tured him at the door of Noble's house, in his night clothes. The gen-
eral surrendered to Serg. Arthur P. Lyon, while the advance guard was
charging the escort, who were camped in a barn lot 100 yards back of
the house, and protected by fences and outbuildings. The General begged
permission to put on his pantaloons, coat and boots, which Sergeant
Lyon unfortunately granted, and went into the bedroom with him for
that purpose. At that moment the escort fired a volley at the advance

694 History of the Fifteenth Pennsyhania Cavalry.

guard. One of our non-commissioned officers opened the room door and
called to Sergeant Lyon, "Hurry up, Sergeant, the escort is rallying!'"
The Sergeant then said, ''Come, General ! I can't allow you much more
time." The General then suddenly seized a pistol from his bed
and shot the Sergeant, killing him instanth', and made his escape
through the back door in the dark, it being a half hour before
daybreak. The escort fled at the same time through the woods,
leaving all the headquarters' horses, saddles, valises, etc. I left a
detachment to gather these up, and pushed on toward Warrenton, in the
direction of other camp fires which could be seen ahead on our left.
These proved to be at the artillery camp, where one regiment of the en-
emy had already become alarmed by the firing on the main road, and had
saddled up and moved out, taking the back valley road on which Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Lamborn was marching in the opposite direction. Colonel
Lamborn's advance had got astray in the dark, and he soon found his
main column mixed up along the narrow road with the column of ihe ad-
vancing rebels, who anxiously inquired what that firing meant? The Col-
onel then attacked them, taking a few prisoners, but the greater pordon
got off through the woods. He then proceeded to their camp and took
possession of the piece of artillery, which proved to be a twelve-pounder
howitzer drawn by a yoke of oxen. Our detachments all concentrated at
the Widow Noble's, seven miles south of Warrenton, where we stopped
to rest and feed our horses, with the exception of thirty men whom I sent
ahead, under Captain Wagner, to Warrenton, on the road to which they
captured a few more prisoners.

I learned from the prisoners that General Lyon's force from the
start had been exaggerated; that he entered Kentucky with between 800
and 1000 men and two pieces of artillery, and that on crossing the
Memphis and Charleston Railroad, Scottsboro, in his retreat, he
had but 350 men and the howitzer; that 250 succeeded in getting across
the Tennessee River, leaving 100 on the other side. The prisoners were
loaded with the plunder of Kentucky stores. We took ninety-five pris-
oners and about 120 horses; the latter were good, but much jaded.

I then returned to the river at Beard's Bluff in the hope of capturing
a small detail of rebels that General Lyon had left to aid the crossing of
his remaining force, but they had already learned of our proximity and
fled. At Fort Deposit I met Captain Forrest with all of the gunboat
fleet, except the "General Burnside." The Captain, with Captain Naylor,
of the "Stone River," at once crossed us to Fearn's Ferry, which we
reached at 9 p.m. on Monday, January i6th. From this place I marched
early the next morning to surrround the remainder of the rebels, whom
I expected, from the statements of prisoners, to find at the mouth of
Honey Comb Creek; but on reaching this point I ascertained that they
had left at 10 P. M. the previous night — some sixty in all — taking the road
to Woodville. I presume they will endeavor to make their way to east
Tennessee. In this party were several of Lyon's staff officers. Most of
the crossing had been done at Honey Comb Creek, although Lyon him-

Addenda. 695

self, with the artillery and a considerable number of the men, crossed at
Guntersville ; eighty crossed at Clarksville, and the remainder at the
mouth of Paint Rock, on the east side of that stream, and at Fearn's
Ferry. The crossing was done on rafts and small canoes, swimming the
horses; a considerable number were drowned in the passage.

I do not think Lyon's command will give much more trouble as an
organization.

My force on this expedition consisted of 180 men, the remainder of
my horses being too much fagged by our recent expedition, after the
enemy's pontoon and supply trains, to be taken along. I lost one man,
Serg. Arthur P. Lyon, as brave and excellent a soldier as the army con-
tains.

Captain Forrest, with Captain Naylor, of the gunboat "Stone River,"
very obligingly brought my command down the river to Whitesburg, from
there it marched to Huntsville, reaching here to-day, and turning over
the prisoners and howitzer to the post commander.
I am, Major, yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,
Colonel Fifteenth Pennsylvania (Anderson) Cavalry.

Headquarters Fifteenth Penna. Cavalry,
March 15th. 1865.
Circular Order.

Two pack mules for each company will be the only transportation
allowed for the coming campaign. One of these will be used for carry-
ing ammunition, the other for use of officers' mess and carrying such
cooking utensils as are absolutely required for the company. Officers
will only take such baggage as they can carry on their horses. The men
will be required to carry sixty-three rounds of ammunition in all, two
horseshoes and the necessary nails. No baggage will be carried by the
men other than that allowed on a summer campaign, except overcoats,
which may be taken if desired. Every man must be taken along, fully
armed and equipped. Where companies are short of horses, they must
get from companies having a surplus. Arms and equipments for men ab-
sent on furlough will be left by company commanders with Corporal
Isaac C. Davis, at regimental storehouse, who will issue to them as they
return.

First Lieut. Chas. E. Beck will be left at Chattanooga to superintend
the proper storing of regimental property and to bring on to the regi-
ment such men as may return from furlough within a period designated
by the Colonel commanding.

Chas. M. Betts,
Major Fifteenth Penna. Cavalry.

696 History of the Fifteenth Pen'nsylvania Cavalry.

Headquarters Fifteenth Penna. Cavalry,
Athens, Ga., May 6th, 1865.
Lieut.-Col. Chas. M. Betts,

Commanding Fifteenth Penna. Cavalry.

Colonel, — I have the honor to report the operations of the detachment
under my command, consisting of companies A, B, C, D, E and M, num-
bering in all 230 officers and men, from the time of leaving your
command, the evening of April 4th, until rejoining you, on the morning of
the 13th.

I moved with my command from your camp near Jacksonville, Va.,
at 6 o'clock P.M., to operate on the Virginia & East Tennessee Railroad,
east of Salem ; marched across Bent Mountain over a inost wretched
road and reached Salem at 2 o'clock p.m., of the 5th. The place had
been evacuated by the enemy six hours and all public stores removed;
moving on toward Big Lick, I found and destroyed six of the enemy's
wagons, loaded with forage, which they had abandoned on the road;
passed Big Lick Station, from which a train hurriedly took its departure
but five minutes previous, carrying away all the public stores ; reached the
railroad bridge across Tinkers Creek at 7 o'clock p.m., fired the structure
and immediately moved on down the road to Buford's Station, at which
place I went into camp at 3 o'clock a.m. of the 6th. All the government
stores at Bonsack's Station, which I passed, had been moved the previous
evening. After a rest of six hours moved from Buford's and reached
Liberty at 2 o'clock, p.m., found the place evacuated and all public stores
removed; about 150 patients were in the hospitals and were paroled by
Captain Colton. Moved on with the command to the Big Otter and
Little Otter Rivers and made preparations for destroying the railroad
bridges over those streams, which work occupied until 10 o'clock p.m.
They were trestlework structures of splended construction, the former
about 600 feet long and 100 feet high, the latter 500 feet long and 150 feet
high. I went into camp on Big Otter and awaited further orders, being
under the impression that orders were on the way for me to desist from
the destruction of the Otter Bridges or doing further damage to the
railroad, by reason of the change in the status of afifairs at Richmond,
intelligence of which I had learned on the day previous. Remained in
camp the next day, 7th, and no orders being received up to a late hour,
I sent out companies B and C to fire the bridges, which task was ac-
complished between the hours of 8 and 11 o'clock p.m. At the latter
hour I moved with my command toward Lynchburg, coming in contact
with the enemy's pickets at a point ten miles from that place before day-
light of the 8th. They were quickly dispersed by my advance guard with
a loss of two prisoners, and a loss of one man of my command killed, he
being mistaken for one of the enemy and shot by a man of the same
company. Halted and fed after dajflight at a point six miles west from
Lynchburg, remaining there two hours, sent a squad of eight (8) men
under Corporal Gilmore, toward town and they proceeded to within three
(3) miles of the place and soon after rejoined me, and from information

Addenda. 697

gained, I deemed it inadvisable to attempt the capture of the place.
There being no necessity for further demonstration on the enemy's
communications, in that quarter, I changed my course and started to re-
join your command, not knowing, however, where I should find it.
Moved westward by way of New London on the way to which place my
advance guard encountered a body of about fifty (50) of the enemy's
cavalry, these were quickly dispersed with a loss of one man killed on
their part. Corporal Currin, of B Company, was dangerously wounded
and left at a house in the vicinity; moved on with command through New
London, and went into camp on Goose Creek, on road to Salem ; several
prisoners were captured on the route. While at Goose Creek I learned
that a portion of General Palmer's brigade had passed through Rocky
Mountain two days previously. On the following morning, 9th, I moved
in direction of the above-named place and passed through it on the lOth,
moving in direction of Henry Court House, Martinsville. When within
six miles of that place, I halted and fed and there learned that the
brigade had moved south, crossing the Virginia line into North Carolina,
in direction of Sandy Ridge; moved on and reached the last-named place
at 7 o'clock A.M. of the nth; after feeding and a rest of a few hours,
moved on, passing through Germantown, and reaching Winston-Salem,
N. C, at 3 o'clock A.M. of the 12th, learned further of the movements of
the brigade, and immediately followed on in your course, crossing the
Yadkin River at Shallow Ford, passing through Huntsville and Mocks-
ville and reached your headquarters, four miles west of Salisbury, at 5
o'clock A.M. of the 13th. Men and horses were much worn out and jaded
by hard marching and want of rest. Distance marched from the time
of leaving your command until rejoining it — from the 4th to the 13th —
288 m.iles, the last eighty-four miles was made in forty-two hours and
during that period but one (i) hour's sleep was had by the command.
All prisoners taken were paroled and released. The casualties in my com-
mand are one (i) man killed, King of D; two (2) wounded, Currin
of B and McKee of E. both of whom were left on the route, as were
also three (3) sick men, Sergts. Wireman and Boice of C. and Clark
of B. ; three men, Marshall, Morris and Yost of A., who were sent out
after horses, are missing and supposed to have been captured. Total
loss, nine (9) men.

The officers and men are deserving of praise for the manner in which
they performed their duties, and, without complaint enduring the hard-
ships and fatigues of the march.

Hoping this report is satisfactory, and that it will meeet with your ap-
proval, I am, Colonel, respectfully.

Your obedient servant,

Wm. Wagner,
Major Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

6^8 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Headouarters 2D Batt., Fifteenth Penna. Cavalry

(Conrad's Ferry, Yadkin Co., N. C, April 13, 1865).
Colonel.

I have the honor to report that in obedience to instructions the bridge
across the Reedy Ford was burnt and destroyed at noon on nth inst.
There was some skirmishing with our rear guard on approaching the
railroad and were obliged to drive off a force of cavalry, about our equal
in number, after finishing the work. I have also burnt one ambulance and
nine wagons belonging to the Confederate States of America, capturing
between forty and fifty mules. Colonel Wheeler's force, and another
party sent out from Greensboro, have been around us, but have given
little trouble. The Yadkin was crossed last night, at one o'clock, at
Glenn's Ferry; pretty reliable information of a force closely following
the Tenth Michigan, to Shallow Ford, caused me to use the Ferry. My
stock is much exhausted, having had but six hours' rest since starting.

If I pass Shallow Ford safely I will not march rapidly to-day, owing
to the condition of the animals; but will try to join you to-morrow. No
casualties.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. B. Garner,
Major Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Lieut.-Col. Chas. ]M. Betts,

Commanding Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Headquarters 30 Batt., Fifteenth Penna. Cavalry,
LiNCOLNTON, N. C, April 22d, 1865.

LiETjT.-CoL. Chas. M. Betts,

Commanding Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Sir, — I have the honor to report that in accordance with orders re-
ceived on the evening of April loth, I marched my Battalion, consisting
of eighty-six officers and men from Salem, N. C, at 9.30 p.m., and leav-
ing the regimental column on the Kennersville Road took the road to
Jamestown at 11 p.m. and traveling steadily all night arrived at Florence
at daylight, on the morning of the nth. While at Florence heard the
scream of a locomotive whistle and I pushed my little column on at a
trot, arriving at Jamestown a few minutes past 5 a.m. Captain Remont,
in charge of the advance of twelve men, rode on to the depot three-quar-
ters of a mile from town and captured the depot and contents and seven
cars on a siding, four of which were loaded, meeting no opposition from
a small party of Rebels of whom two officers and four men were captured.
The main party, under my command, turned off to the right and pro-
ceeded to destroy the railroad bridge across Deep River, which was a
Howe truss bridge, weather boarded and shingled and between eighty-

Addenda. 699

five and 100 feet in length. The guard, of two men, was captured, and
fire applied and the bridge being constructed of yellow pitch pine and
very inflammable, was in a blaze in ten minutes and in less than thirty
minutes was a total wreck. The morning was very favorable for our
operations, a heavy fog prevailing, which obscured our movements and
numbers from the enemy who, in force equal to, if not exceeding ours,
began to cluster on the neighboring hills and prepare to attack us. I after-
wards learned they numbered about 100 men. I sent a courier to Captain
Remont recalling him from the depot and with orders to Florence, two
miles on our return, where Captain Remont joined the column with
about sixty horses and mules and thirty-five prisoners, three of whom
were officers ; then returning through Jamestown, our advance drove a
party of Rebel Cavalry, who were watching our movements. At Flor-
ence, Lieutenant Smith, with five men, was sent to destroy a large fac-
tory for the manufacture of small arms for the Rebel Government. The
building, with its contents, consisting of about 800 stand of arms, fin-
ished, and about 2500 stand in process of completion, together with a
large and valuable amount of machinery, some of which cannot be re-
placed, and a small quantity of ammunition, was destroyed. There was
also in the factory an apparatus for assaying and coining gold and silver,
which was also destroyed, together with an inconsiderable amount of
gold and silver. Captain Remont, having now arrived from the depot
with the advance guard, reported that he had destroyed the depot and
cars and the following amount of stores found therein, viz : 1000 stand
of arms ; fifty barrels of flour ; two barrels of molasses ; twelve sacks of
salt; five bales of cotton cloth (jean), a large quantity of bacon (sides),
and two carloads of cotton, all belonging to the Confederate Govern-
ment. While these stores were being destroyed. Private Alexander, of
company I, who was on vedette duty, captured and brought in an entire
courier post of one officer and twelve men, mounted and armed. Private
Wampler, of the same company, captured and brought in three mounted
and armed men. Collecting all his men together he found he had made
prisoners of three officers and thirty-two men and taken sixty horses and
mules, all of which were brought in. I was now within five miles of
Greensboro, in which place, from the best obtainable information, there
was a considerable force under General Beauregard, and having accom-
plished the object of my expedition, I returned to Kennersville Road
and halted until noon, when I rejoined your command, not having lost
a man and marched a distance of fifty-two miles in twelve hours, be-
sides almost entirely remounting my command. The behavior of both
men and officers was in the highest degree commendable. I have par-
ticularly to mention Privates Alexander and Wampler, of company I,
for their conspicuous gallantry in effecting their several captures single
handed and by the exercise of that coolness and brave demeanor which
characterizes the true soldier. Corporal Stone and Corporal French of

700 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

company I, are hereby also honorably mentioned for having, with five
men, successfully brought in all the prisoners and horses in the face of
the enemy, a most trying and difficult operation.

I am, Colonel, with respect, your obedient servant,

Adam Kramer,
Captain Commanding 3d Batt., Fifteenth Pa. Cav.

Headquarters Cavalry Div., District of East Tennessee.
Athens, Ga., May 5. 1865, 4 p.m.
General Wilson,

Commanding Cavalry Corps, Macon.
My division (Stoneham's cavalry) has marched here from North
Carolina under orders from the Secretary of War to intercept Jefferson
Davis and Cabinet, who, with six millions of Confederate specie, are en-
deavoring to get to the Trans-Mississippi Department. My orders are
if I can hear of Davis to follow him up to the ends of the earth if possible
and never give him up. General Stoneman states in his order that the
cavalry under him, as well as the other forces in the Department of the
Cumberland, will, by direction of the Secretary of War, obey no orders
unless emanating from General Grant or General Thomas. Also that
hostilities will not cease until the President of the United States so pro-
claims to the world. I was informed of your whereabouts in order that
I might communicate if possible. I have had track of Davis and his
party all the way from Yorkville, S. C, where I was two days in his rear.
By reaching Athens I have thrown my division in front of his cavalry
escort, which consisted of Dibrell's two brigades, Ferguson's brigade,
Duke's brigade, and a portion of Butler's division of Hampton's cavalry;
in all, from 2000 to 3000 men. These forces are all evading the terms of
Johnston's surrender, and endeavoring as armed organizations to reach
the Trans-Mississippi Department, but their men are dropping off every
day, and at Abbeville, S. C, on last, Davis decided to drop his cav-
alry escort and push on to Washington, Ga., there to take train by rail-
road to Atlanta or La Grange. I have positive information to-day from
one of his escort that he was at Washington on Wednesday at 9 a.m.
and was about to take train for Atlanta with his Cabinet and some gen-
erals. The specie was coming on to Washington to go by the same
route. I have sent a battalion of the Tenth Michigan to Madison, with
directions to cut the railroad without destroying any bridge, so as to in-
tercept the specie and Davis, if possible, and to communicate by courier
with you at Macon. I would suggest that your forces in Alabama en-
deavor to intercept or pursue. I am sending by courier a cipher dispatch
to you from General Thomas. Please let me hear from you.

Wm. J. Palmer,
Colonel and Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.

Addenda.

701

Headquarters Cavalry Div., District of East Tennessee.
Athens, Ga., May 6, 1865, 9 a.m.
Major-General Wilson.

General — Jefiferson Davis parted with the four brigades (Dibrell's
two brigades, Duke's and Ferguson's) that were escorting him at Wash-
ington on Wednesday or possibly as late as Thursday morning and went
on mounted with a party of about forty men. I have not yet been able to
learn which road he took from Washington, but I think his object is to
get around to the southward of Macon, although he may possibly have
got between your command and mine. The Tenth Michigan Regiment,
which is at Madison and Eatonton, should be able to ascertain this, and
it is ordered to send parties in pursuit, in the event of its being necessary.
The four brigades were disbanded or have surrendered at Washington
to one of my regiments, excepting one organized party of 500 men under
Colonel Breckinridge, of Dibrell's command, who left Washington yes-
terday morning, saying they were going to Macon to surrender. This I
think doubtful, since they were each paid thirty-five dollars in specie be-
fore leaving Macon, and their object is undoubtedly to get off with it.
What they have done with the balance of the specie I have not yet ascer-
tained, but expect to know to-day which route it has taken. I have di-
rected Colonel Stacy, who was marching on Washington at the time, to
pursue Colonel Breckinridge's party and the specie. General Brown's
brigade is guarding the crossroads, fords, etc., from this point to Knox's
Bridge, on the Tugaloo River, via Danielsville and Carncsville. The Fif-
teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry is here, and I will move with it at any mo-
ment in the direction that my information may warrant. The Twelfth
Ohio Cavalry (Colonel Bentley) is starting for Monroe, with one battal-
ion en route to Covington and anothe to Lawrenceville. He will be di-
rected to communicate with Colonel Eggleston at Atlanta if anything im-
portant is ascertained. I would respectfully suggest that small parties be
at once sent out from your command to guard the fords, ferries, bridges
and crossroads along the Ocmulgee south from Macon, as far, if possi-
ble, as Jacksonville. Also that the same be done along Flint River, if pos-
sible, from Jone?borough south to Albany. And your force at Columbus,
if there is any there, might do the same along the Chattahoochee. Since
writing the above I have received a dispatch from Colonel Stacy stating
that Dibrell's command, etc., excepting those who made off with Breck-
inridge and b}^ themselves, is marching here to be paroled. Also, that
Davis went by railroad from Washington to Union Point, and from there
he believes he went south toward Macon or to the south of it. I sent
you a dispatch and a cipher dispatch from General Thomas last evening.
I am, General, your obedient servant,

Wm. J. Palmer,
Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.

702 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Headquarters Cavalry Div., District of East Tennessee.
Athens, Ga., May 6, 1865, 11 p.m.
Brevet Major-General Upton,
Augusta.
General, — I have the honor to send to you my Acting Assistant Ad-
jutant General, Captain McAllister, with a verbal communication from
myself in regard to the status of Dibrell's division of cavalry, which is
now lying at or near the pontoon bridge over the Savannah River at
Petersburg, having escorted Jefferson Davis with the Confederate specie
from Greensboro to that point. On reaching there, finding that my
command had intercepted them on their way to the Trans-Mississippi
Department, Dibrell concluded to surrender. His command, with some
detachments of Duke's and Vaughn's brigades left with them, had first
been paid from twenty-five to thirty-five dollars per private soldier in
specie. I hardly know what to do with them under the circumstances,
and should like to have the advice of General Wilson and yourself. What
shall be done with the armory at this point; a battalion of 250 workmen
(mustered into the Confederate service and having their arms concealed) ;
also with the large number of Confederate officers here, including sev-
eral generals?

I am, General, your obedient servant.

Wm. J. Palmer,
Brevet Brigadier-General Commanding.

Headquarters Cavalry Div., District of East Tennessee.
Athens, Ga., May 6, 1865.
Major,— I had reached the vicinity of Cowpens battlefield, S. C, on
April 29, when I received the order to endeavor to intercept Jefferson
Davis, his Cabinet, and the Confederate specie. I had already ascertained
that Davis and the money, with an escort of four brigades of cavalry,
under Duke, Ferguson, and Dibrell, with scattered detachments of
Vaughn's, Humes' and Butler's commands, all of which had evaded the
terms of surrender of Johnston to Sherman, were moving from York-
ville, S. C. and had crossed Smith's Ford, as was alleged, of Broad
River, toward Unionville and Abbeville, S. C.with the intention of going
through to the Trans-Mississippi Department, Secretaries Breckinridge
and Benjamin and most of the Cabinet, with a large number of generals,
also Governor Harris, of Tennessee, accompanied Davis. Vice-President
Stephens was not along, and is believed to be now at Crawfordsville.
Ga., where he resides and where he declares his intention of remaining,
no matter what may be his fate. Jefferson Davis and his escort had re-
mained at Charlotte during the armistice, but left there immediately on
its termination and passed through Yorkville on the morning of the 28th.
Davis, himself, with a small party, crossed Broad River at Pickneyville
Ferry, but the cavalry went around by Smith's Ford. One of my regi-
ments (the Twelfth Ohio) ran into the rear guard of his escort at that

Addenda. 703

ford and captured ten prisoners, from whom definite information was ob-
tained. The specie was in wagons and was contained in about 100 boxes
of gold, and sixty kegs of silver. Prisoners thought there was about $10,-
ocx>,ooo of specie in all. The cavalry escort, numbering in all at that time
from 3000 to 4000 men, had been promised their back pay in specie on ar-
riving at the Mississippi River, as an inducement for them to remain true
to their chief; but in spite of this bribe as soon as they found we were nn
their track their men dropped out rapidly. Finding that the advance of
Davis' escort had two days the start of us and were well mounted, and
having but one brigade with me, and there being several considerable
rivers to cross on the way to Georgia, at which small parties could suc-
cessfully hold the fords and ferries and destroy bridges while the main
body of the enemy was pushing on westward, I determined not to pursue
on the direct line, but to strike by way of Spartanburg and Golden Grove
for the head of the Savannah River, near Anderson, which would enable
me to effect a junction with the other two brigades of the division which
had marched from Asheville, N. C., toward Anderson, and also to cross
the headwaters of the Savannah River at Hatton's Ford. Below this point
there was no crossing of the Savannah except by ferries, and the pon-
toon bridge at Petersburg, at the mouth of the Broad River of Georgia,
I felt satisfied that Davis and his party would cross at this pontoon, and
I hoped to intercept them at Athens, Ga. The Fifteenth Pennsylvania
Cavalry, which I had pushed toward Abbeville from Spartanburg on
May I to reconnoiter and ascertain whether the enemy was aiming for
Augusta or not, captured some of Davis' escort near the Saluda River,
and ascertained from them and the citizens that the enemy was concen-
trating at Abbeville, that Davis was with them and that all would proba-
bly march via the pontoon bridge for Athens, Ga.

I reached Athens, Ga., on the afternoon of the 4th with my entire
division, and found that I had succeeded in throwing the command en-
tirely in front of the enemy, all of whom were between Athens and the
Savannah River. I immediately pushed out a force to guard the fords
and ferries of Broad River, and sent the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry
to Lexington, with directions to send a detachment to Elberton and
another to Washington, Ga., to guard the roads leading northwest and
southwest from the pontoon bridge at the mouth of Broad River. Fear-
ing that Davis would abandon his escort and endeavor to make time by
taking the railroad train at Washington for Atlanta or West Point,
I sent a party to cut the railroad between Atlanta and Augusta at Madi-
son, and also to communicate with General Wilson, commanding the
Cavalry Corps, at Macon. This party carried General Thomas' cipher
dispatches to General Wilson. I also sent a small party by railroad to
Augusta to communicate with General Upton, of Wilson's Cavalry, who
had just reached that point with his staff, but without troops. Yesterday
afternoon I got reliable information of deserters from Davis' escort, just
from Washington, confirmed by dispatches from Colonel Stacy, of the
Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and also from parties sent to Augusta,

704 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

that Jefferson Davis had given over at Abbeville, S. C, on ascertaining
that our force was moving to intercept him, the idea of cutting his way
through to the Mississippi, and that he had abandoned his large cavalry-
escort near the Savannah River, and had pushed rapidly on with General
Duke and about thirty-five men to Washington, which he reached on the
morning of the 3d instant, intending thence to travel incognito. Also
that some time during the 3d, or early the next morning, Davis had left
Washington with a small party by railroad for Atlanta, but had aban-
doned the railroad at Union Point and gone southwestward on horse-
back. The specie had not yet reached Washington, as far as I can learn,
when Davis left that place. A detachment of my troops entered Washing-
ton yesterday morning and ascertained that a large portion of the cavalry
escort under Dibrell, was still back toward the Savannah River, where it
was waiting to surrender on demand. Colonel Breckinridge, with about
500 men, had just left for Washington, taking the road to Macon, where
he said he was going to surrender. The remainder of the four brigades
had been disbanded, either at Abbeville, S. C, at the Savannah River, or
at Washington, Ga. Before leaving Washington they distributed specie
among the men at the rate of thirty-five dollars to each private soldier,
and I presume more to the ofificers. I have not yet been able to ascertain
what has become of the balance of the specie, but presume it has either
been concealed or shipped by railroad westward, in which latter event it
will be stopped either by my party on the railroad at Madison, or by Col-
onel Eggleston of Wilson's Cavalry, who reached Atlanta on the morning
of the 4th. I have ordered Colonel Stacy to pursue Colonel Breckinridge's
party (as it is evident they only wish to get off with their specie pay) ;
also to find out if possible what has become of the balance of the money.
I have also sent Colonel Trowbridge with the Tenth Michigan Cavalry
to Madison and Eatonton with directions to guard the ferries and bridges
of the Oconee River south to Milledgeville and to intercept or pursue
Davis or the party of Breckinridge, if he can gain the slightest clue.
I have also sent the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry (Colonel Bentley) to Monroe,
Covington, and Lawrenceville, to prevent anything slipping through in
that direction, in case it should get between Athens and General Trow-
bridge.

The Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry I hold here to move in any direc-
tion that the information received from the different quarters may war-
rant. I have also communicated 'the latest information to General Wil-
son at Macon, and have suggested that small parties from his command
should guard the fords and ferries and bridges on the Ocmulgee south to
Jacksonville, and on Flint River from Jonesborough to Albany, and also
if practicable on the Chattahoochee and elsewhere in Alabama. I think it
is the intention of Jefferson Davis to get around to the southward of Ma-
con. I have sent General Brown's brigade to hold the crossroads, fords,
etc., from Athens northward to the head of the Savannah River, and Cofl-
onel Miller is doing the same from Lexington to Danielsville. This is for

Addenda. 705

the purpose of intercepting the disbanded officers and soldiers of Davis'
escort, depriving them of their arms and horses and making prisoners of
the officers. The privates are so numerous we are obliged to informally
parole them. I shall send General Brown's and General Miller's brigades
after this duty is over to Greenville, S. C, from which place I recommend
that they be recalled to Knoxville. Forage being scarce here, and Gen-
eral Wilson having a large cavalry force throughout this State, I would
request authority, after the pursuit of Davis is over, to move with our
own brigade to some point or points in South Carolina where forage can
be obtained. I believe there is no United States cavalry in that State.
I would use one regiment to guard the fords and ferries of the Savannah
River from Rabun Gap to Petersburg pontoon bridge for the purpose of
arresting straggling parties of disbanded officers and soldiers who are
going home, or to the Trans-Mississippi Department with arms in their
hands and without paroles. If any of our troops be at Augusta they could
do the same thing from Petersburg southward. I would recommend that
Colonel Kirk be directed to blockade effectually all the gaps in the Blue
Ridge from Rabun Gap eastward to Swannanoa Gap, and that he then
be recalled to East Tennessee to prevent his men from pillaging and
committing excesses, now that hostilities have ceased. There is evi-
dently no further necessity for General Tillson's Infantry remaining in
the mountains. He requested me to send word whether there was or
not. I have communicated directly with him, but send this by way of
Dalton, which is the nearest railroad point. The reason I recommend
that Brown's and Miller's brigades be immediately recalled to East Ten-
nessee is because their officers for the most part have lost all control over
their men. A large number of the men and some of the officers devote
themselves exclusively to pillaging and destroying property. General
Brown appears to have given them carte blanche in South Carolina, and
they are now so entirely destitute of discipline that it cannot be restored
in the field and while the command is living on the country.
I am. Major, your obedient servant,

Wm. J. Palmer.
Colonel and Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
Major Bascom,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters General Stoneman.

Greeneville, May 12, 1865, 5.30 p.m.
Maj. G. M. Bascom.

The following dispatch was just received :

Headquarters Cavalry Division, Dept. of East Tennessee,
Athens, Ga., May 7, 1865, 12 noon.
Major, — Will you please forward the inclosed dispatch without delay
to General Stoneman. It refers chiefly to the movements of Jefferson
Davis, who abandoned his cavalry escort at the Savannah River on find-
ing that we had intercepted it, and passed through Washington, Ga., in

45

7o6 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

disguise with sixty men on the night of the same day (May 4th) that I
reached Athens with my division. Colonel Stacy was at Lexington the
same night, and his advance but a short distance from Davis' party.
Secretary Breckinridge came very near being captured, and would have
been had he been recognized. I have two regiments guarding the fords,
ferries, etc., on the Oconee and Ulcofauhatchee Rivers, .and have com-
municated with General Wilson at Macon, Ga., who is on the alert and
has a force at Atlanta. I would recommend that Colonel Kirk be directed
to blockade all the gaps fromj Rabun Gap to Swannanoa merely to pre-
vent straggling parties of disbanded soldiers from getting west to their
homes or the Trans-Mississippi Department with arms in their hands.
These would be apt to turn up as guerillas. I am guarding all the roads,
fords, etc., south from Rabun Gap as far as Milledgeville. I should sup-
pose there would be no further necessity for your force remaining in the
mountains. Everything has surrendered here, including 2000 of Davis'
escort under Dibrell, who we intercepted at Petersburg, on the Savannah
River.

W. J. Palmer,
Colonel and Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Headquarters Cavalry Div., District of East Tennessee
(Howell's Ford, near Warsaw, on the Chattahoochee)
May 12, 1865, 5 p.m.
Major. — After my last dispatch to you from Athens, via Asheville,
I got reliable information from a scout, disguised as a Confederate sol-
dier, who stated positively that he had traveled with him for a day, that
Davis was one mile and a half from Wills' Ferry, on the Oconee RiVer,
a short distance above the mouth of the Apalachee, moving westward.
This was at four o'clock on the morning of the 7th instant. The scout
left him at that point to report to me at Athens, and, on the way, eight
miles northwest of where he had left Davis' party, near Salem, he states
that he met General Bragg with about 100 men, most of whom were
without arms, and five wagons. He traveled with Bragg some distance
toward Furlow's Bridge, over the Apalachee, and then came to Athens.
A detachment of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry sent in pursuit suc-
ceeded in capturing General Bragg below Concord, west of Monticello,
on the night of the 9th instant, with his wife, three staflf ofiice-s, one am-
bulance and three wagons. There was no specie in the wagons, but an
assortment of provisions, horse equipments, papers, wines, etc. The
lieutenant, in violation of orders, paroled Bragg to report to General
Wilson at Macon, he stating that he was not trying to escape, but was
simply going to his home in Alabama. He had, however, passed
around a detachment of my command at Madison, and had evaded
another detachment at Covington, and I have no doubt whatever but
that he was a candidate for the Trans-Mississippi Department, and that
he had been with Davis but a very short time before. A detachment of

Addenda. 7^7

the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry which I had stationed at Monroe, while pur-
suing a party which they took to be Davis', also captured at Conyer's
Station, west of Yellow River, on the morning of the Qth instant, Major-
General Wheeler, three of his stafif, and eleven privates. Wheeler had
a forged parole on his person, and tried to pass himself off as Lieutenant
Sharp, stating that he had been paroled. When sent to me he made
a very poor story, stating that he wanted to be paroled and go to
his home in Augusta. As I had no doubt whatever but that he was a
Trans-Mississippi man, and had been very recently with Davis, I stripped
him and his stafif of their horses and side arms and sent them to
the commander of the United States forces at Augusta, with a state-
ment of the facts. On the morning of the 8th instant, while search-
ing for Davis near the fork of the Apalachee and Oconee Rivers, Colonel
Betts, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, captured seven wagons hid in the
woods, which contained $188,000 in coin, $1,588,000 in bank notes, bonds,
etc., of various Southern States, and about $4,000,000 of Confederate
money, besides considerable specie, plate and other valuables belonging
to private citizens of Macon. The main portion of the above property
comprised the assets of the Central Railroad and Banking Company,
Georgia, which had been moved out of Macon at the approach of General
Wilson. The wagons also contained the private baggage, maps, and offi-
cial papers of General Beauregard and the same of General Pillow.
Nothing was disturbed, and I sent the whole on by railroad to Augusta in
charge of Captain Patterson, acting assistant adjutant-general, to be de-
livered to comrnanding officer of United States forces, to await the action
of the Government. Colonel Miller, whom I had sent to Greensboro,
reports that Davis had passed through there, but it is possible that he
may not have crossed the Oconee River, but deflected south to cross it
below Milledgeville. Colonel Stacy, however, who was sent in pursuit
from Washington, and who marched by Crawfordsville and Sparta to
a point opposite Milledgeville, reports that he could find no trace of
him in that direction. I have had the whole country thoroughly
searched from Washington west to the Chattahoochee River, and from
Athens to Lawrenceville south to Milledgeville, Monticello, and Mc-
Donough. My belief is that Davis has not yet crossed the Chatta-
hoochee River, but that he is lying by until search shall have ceased.
This belt, however, is so thoroughly exhausted of corn that I have de-
termined to send Brown's and Miller's brigades under General Brown
to the line of the Savannah River from Dooley's Ferry, near Lincoln-
ton, northward to Knox's bridge, on the Tugalo, to feed there as long
as practicable without starving the people, and to arrest stray parties of
armed Confederates going westward. These orders were sent to General
Brown yesterday, with instructions as soon as forage becomes scarce to
move to Greenville, S. C, and vicinity to await orders from you.

With the First Brigade, which is as much as 1 can feed on this route,
I have determined to march rapidly across the belt, exhausted by the

7o8 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

campaign against Atlanta, and place it west of the Coosa River for the
purpose of guarding that line, from Will's Valley south to Wilsonville,
on the Talladega and Selma Railroad. The Tenth Michigan, now at
McDonough, has been directed to cross the Chattahoochee at Franklin ;
thence to march via Talladega to cross the Coosa at Clannche's Ferry.
The Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, now near Decatur, has been directed
to march via Atlanta and Campbellton, to Jacksonville, and from there
to Asheville, west of the Coosa. With the Twelfth Ohio I shall start
from here to-morrow morning and march by Van Wert and Cedartown
to Bennettsville, on Will's Creek. Each of the three columns will carry
along enough forage and rations from the Chattahoochee (the Fifteenth
Pennsylvania from Atlanta), to take it across the exhausted belt, except-
ing the Tenth Michigan, which will scarcely find it necessary to do so.
On arriving west of the Coosa all intersectmg and crossroads will be
guarded from Coxville, in Will's Valley, south to Wilsonville, on the
Talladega Railroad. The Tenth Michigan will communicate with
United States forces at Montgomery, and request that the line from Wil-
sonville to Montgomery be guarded by them. I have received no or-
ders from you since the one to follow Davis, until I believed further
search useless, and I am acting upon that. The shortest way to com-
municate with me at Bennettsville .will be, probably, by telegraph to
Huntsville, thence by courier, or if the gunboats are running on the Ten-
nessee River the shortest way will be by courier from Guntersville to
Bennettsville. I shall endeavor to communicate by that route when I
get west of the Coosa. In regard to the Confederate specie, I am satis-
fied that Davis has not now any considerable amount with him. Major
Millsap, of Major-General Loring's stafY, states that in the council of
war held in General Johnston's army, General Johnston called on Secre-
tary Breckinridge for specie to pay his army, they not having been paid
for more than a year. In presence of the entire council Breckinridge re-
plied that the Government had not more than $60,000 actually belonging
to it. That $40,000 was on hand, that $20,000 was or would be trans-
ferred to the Commissary Department for the purchase of provisions.
It is estimated that the Confederate Government may have had in its
possession some $32,000,000, the property of different Southern banks,
including those of New Orleans, removed from various points to avoid
capture, it having been the original intention to return these funds
when the danger of falling into our hands should have passed away. As
Davis passed through North Carolina the funds belonging to the bank
of that State were, it is said, left at Charlotte, at the instance of Governor
Vance. That belonging to South Carolina, Georgia and New Orleans
was either left and concealed at Washington or shipped by railroad from
that point. The soldiers and people were impressed with the idea that
Mr. Davis had a very large amount of Government specie with him, and
that they were becoming exasperated that it was not distributed in pay-
ment of the troops. It was probably as much to appease this feeling

Addenda. 709

as anything else that prompted the payment of specie to Dibrell's cav-
alry, and at the time these were the only troops not formally surren-
dered or disbanded. This payment probably took most of the public
funds. It seems probable that little specie crossed the Savannah River,
for if Davis felt it necessary to have a division of cavalry to guard bis
train, he would not be apt to move that train without guard when he
found it in^practicable to take his cavalry escort across the Savannah
River. General Bragg states that no specie came this side of Wash-
ington, Ga. I also have the honor to report that General Iverson was
captured by a detachment of the Twelfth Ohio, near his home at Law-
renceville. As I had good reason to believe that he was not a Trans-
Mississippi man, and it being difficult to take him with us, I paroled him.
A detachment of my command, which passed through Crawfordsville a
few days ago, found Mr. Alexander H. Stephens at his home. Howell
Cobb is at his home in Athens. The people all want peace and pro-
visions and appear strongly opposed to the Trans-Mississippi scheme of
Davis. There is a disposition everywhere on the part of the poor
people and the poorer class of returned soldiers toward agrarian riots.
I have a telegram of the 7th from Major-General Wilson at Macon
stating that it is quite certain that Dick Taylor has capitulated. I had
determined to parole Dibrell's division, taking from them their horses
and arms, but found that General Wilson had already sent a paroling
officer from Augusta to attend to their case.
I am. Major, yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,
Colonel and Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Major Bascom,

Assistant Adjutant General.

P. S. — After waiting long enough along the Coosa to catch Davis,
or become convinced that further search is useless by my command,
I would propose to go to Huntsville, Ala. (if not required further in
the cotton States), as being the nearest railroad point that I could
march to and obtain forage en route. W. J. P.

Headquarters Cavalry Div., District of East Tennessee.
(Near Coxville, Will's Valley, May 17, 1865, 7 p.m.).
Major, — I have the honor to report that I have the first brigade placed
along the line of Will's Valley and the Coosa River from Van Buren,
in Will's Valley, to Wilsonville, near the crossing of the Coosa by the
Talladega (or Montevallo) Railroad. I shall move in the morning to
Guntersville, on the Tennessee River, with one company of the Fif-
teenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and establish my headquarters there un-
til I hear from you, which I hope to do by the gunboats on arriving
at that point. I find forage much less abundant along this line,
particularly from Asheville to Van Buren, than I expected, and I think

yio History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

it will be impossible for the brigade to remain many days in its present
position without thoroMghly exhausting the country, whose inhabitants
will already find great difficulty in getting food enough to last them un-
til the next crop is gathered. I have communicated with you from
Athens, via Dalton, from Athens, via Asheville, from the Chattahoochee
via Dalton and from Euharlee via Resaca, since I received any dispatch
from your headquarters. In moving through the country I have found
it advisable to parole some 5000 Rebel soldiers, who were at or in the
vicinity of their homes, many of them unable to report at the paroling
stations regularly provided, or ignorant of where they should report.
I would respectfully suggest that if necessary an order be issued under
the proper date authorizing me to give these paroles, so that there may
be no doubt concerning their legitimacy. Until I reached the vicinity
of Jacksonville and Goshen, Ala., I met nowhere in the south any dis-
position toward guerrilla warfare. Most of the soldiers had returned
peaceably to their plows. At Jacksonville, however, ten of Wheeler's
cavalry captured two of my men and stripped them of their horses and
arms, and subsequently captured Major Garner, of the Fifteenth Penn-
sylvania, who had remained behind for a short time with four men in
Jacksonville, to finish paroling some soldiers. They threatened' to kill
the major, but were prevented by the citizens until the four men came
up, when the rebels were driven off with a loss of several horses and
one man wounded.

In the district I have traversed since leaving Athens, Ga., the poorer
classes will be apt to suffer for provisions until the wheat crop is gath-
ered unless the rich divide with them, which they show but little inclina-
tion to do anywhere in the south. I do not think it advisable that any
authority should be granted by the military commanders for the forma-
tion of armed police bodies for local protection in the South, as such au-
thority will in most cases, I think, militate against the poor whites and
negroes, who are and always have been our friends, in favor of the
wealthy, who have always been and still are our enemies. No protection
should be afforded that cannot be given by garrisons of our troops. There
is an abundance of corn in southwestern Georgia and southern Alabama
to feed these poor people if the railroads were repaired. The new
corn crop is so promising everywhere that I think there will be a large
surplus the coming year. All the suffering for food that will occur in
the South will occur within the next three or four months. I find on
further inquiry that General Bragg and staff were not released, but
sent under an escort of a sergeant and ten men of the Fifteenth Penn-
sylvania Cavalry to report to General Wilson. You have, no doubt,
before this received information of the capture of Jefferson Davis, of
which I was apprised day before yesterday by the inclosed dispatch from
Colonel Trowbridge, of the Tenth Michigan. There may, of course, be
still some doubt of the matter, but I regard the information as entirely
reliable, as I have had it confirmed from various sources. Davis ap-

Addenda. 711

pears to have been captured at Irwintown (Irwinville), south of Mil-
ledgeville, on the nth (loth) instant, by Colonel Pritchard, of the
Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and to have passed through Atlanta for Au-
gusta on the morning of the 14th instant. I inclose a letter from Gen-
eral Wilson, dated at Macon on the 9th, showing the dispositions he had
made to aiTest Davis. The proclamation he refers to I had printed in
Athens, and have posted it in handbills everywhere from the Oconee to
the Coosa, and from Allatoona south to Talladega. If Davis is cap-
tured, the only object in the First Brigade remaining along its present
line would be to arrest other fugitive parties. I sent a company of the
Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry yesterday morning from Jacksonville
to Montgomery, Ala., to communicate with the -commanding officer of
the United States forces at that point. I have managed to keep tol-
erably well mounted thus far, but unless my animals are rested now
I fear the First Brigade will become rapidly dismounted. I would
therefore recommend that as soon as it is thought that the brigade is
no longer needed along this line it be ordered to Huntsville, Ala., to re-
cruit. It would probably be difficult to march to Chattanooga in con-
sequence of the scarcity of forage on the roads leading thereto. General
Brown, with his own and Miller's brigades, is now posted along the
line of the Savannah River, but was ordered to move to Greenville,
S. C, and vicinity (under General Stoneman's previous instructions),
as soon as forage should become scarce along the Savannah. General
Brown remained near Washington, Ga., with one brigade until the
paroling of Dibrell's command (Davis' escort), some 3000 in number,
was completed by an officer sent from General Wilson for that purpose.
One brigade of Grierson's cavalry is at Talladega.
I am, Major, yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,
Colonel and Brevet Brigadier-General, Commandmg.
Major Bascom.

Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters District of East Tennessee.

Headquarters Cavalry Div., District of East Tennessee,
Huntsville, Ala., May 24, 1865.
Major:— 1 have the honor to append to the reports I have hitherto
furnished of the operations of this cavalry division since I assumed
command the following: —

First.— The rebel cavalry force which started with Jefferson Davis
from Charlotte, N. C, to escort him to the Trans-Mississippi Depart-
ment, and which was intercepted by us on the line of the Savannah
River, consisted of Dibrell's division and Ferguson's brigade, of
Wheeler's corps, Duke's brigade, and all of Vaughn's command that
had not previously deserted, and Butler's division, of Hampton's corps.
The last did not attempt to cross the Savannah River, but disbanded

712 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

in South Carolina, near the river. Ferguson's brigade, consisting
chiefly of Georgians and numbering about looo, after crossing the
Savannah viras allowed to march to Macon, w^here it surrendered to
General Wilson. The remaining four brigades, commanded by Dibrell
and numbering about 2500 men, surrendered at the Petersburg pontoon
bridge, on the Savannah River, on finding that they v^^ere intercepted,
Davis at that point having come to the determination to get away
with a few men.

Second.— A large proportion of the rebel soldiers paroled at different
poles in the South were without arms, some saying that they had
thrown them away, others that they had left them with their commands
when given furloughs, etc. It is a question worthy of consideration
whether by proclamation of commanding officers all such arms should not
be ordered to be delivered up within a certain limited period, as I am sat-
isfied that in most cases these men have their arms at their homes.

Third. — I desire to recommend for honorable mention and promo-
tion the following officers of my command, to wit : In the Fifteenth
Pennsylvania Cavalry, Lieut.-Col. Charles M. Betts, commanding Regi-
ment, for gallant conduct in charging and capturing a South Carolina
battalion of cavalry with its commanding officer (Lieutenant-Colonel
Johnson), in front of Greensboro on the morning of April 11, 1865;
also for thoroughly preserving the discipline of his regiment on an
active campaign, during which the troops were compelled to live ex-
clusively on the country. Adjutant Josiah C. Reiff, for gallantry in
the above-mentioned charge in front of Greensboro, in which he
wounded with the sabre and captured Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson,
commanding battalion of the Sixth (Third) South Carolina Cavalry;
also for skill and success throughout the campaign in getting acquainted
with and in clearly reporting the movements of the enemy. Major.
William Wagner, for skill and good conduct in having with his battalion
of 250 men destroyed the Virginia Railroad from thirty miles east of
Christiansburg to within three miles of Lynchburg, and thence succeed-
ing in withdrawing his command in the face of a superior force, with
the loss of but one man and in joining his regiment at Statesville, N. C.
Major A. B. Garner, for gallantry and skill in having with his battalion
of 100 men destroyed the railroad bridge over Reedy Fork, between
Danville and Greensboro, on the morning of the lith of April,
evading superior forces of the enemy. Captain Adam Kramer, for
skill and gallantry in having destroyed the important railroad bridge
over Deep River, between Greensboro and Salisbury, on the morn-
ing of April 11; also for destroying a large quantity of arms and
munitions of war and railroad trains with their contents, first defeating
a superior force of the enemy. Sergeant Selden L. Wilson, for skill
and gallantry in having with ten men destroyed the railroad bridge,
over South Buffalo Creek within a few miles south of Greensboro,
driving off the guard.

Addenda. 713

T also acknowledge my indebtedness for faithful and efficient services
throughout the campaign, to all the officers of my staff, but especially to
Cspt. Henry McAllister, Acting Assistant Adjutant General, and to
Lieut. Chas. S. Hinchman, Assistant Commissary of Subsistence ; the
last for aciivity and success in keeping his brigade at all times well sup-
plied with rations from the country in the authorized manner, thus pre-
venting, to a great extent, irregular foraging.

I am. Major, yours respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,
Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
Major G. M. Bascom,

Ass't Adjt. General, Headquarters District of East Tennessee.

Headquarters First Brig., Cavalry Div.,
General Orders | Department of the Cumberland,

^°- 7 j Huntsville, Ala., May 26, 1865.

The general commanding accepts the present opportunity to com-
pliment Sergeants John Burton, Company E, and John K. Marshall,
Company F, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, for the faithful discharge
of the duties which, owing to the absence of their company officers,
devolved upon them during the recent campaign, and to congratulate
them upon the entire success of their efforts to maintain the disciphne
in their respective companies.
By command of Brevet Brigadier-General William J. Palmer.

Henry McAllister,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant General.

GuNTERSviLE, May 21, 1865.
Major Southard Hoffman

Assistant Adjutant General.
I have just received your dispatch, and am about leaving for Hunts-
ville to make arrangements for crossing my command to subsist and
forage it on the march to Knoxville and Nashville. I shall reach Hunts-
ville this evening. Please telegraph me there whether the General
commanding desires that I should accompany the other regiments of
this brigade to Knoxville, or to go with the Fifteenth Pennsylvania, to
which myself and staff all belong, to Nashville. Will you please direct
four days' forage for 1200 animals to be shipped to Bridgeport im-
mediately, if it is not already there, to meet the Twelfth Ohio and Tenth
Michigan' Cavalry. I take it for granted that there is subsistence
enough already there for them. I have sent orders to General Brown
and Colonel Miller how to march to reach Knoxville. I have received
enough forage at Guntersville for my purposes, but have no subsistence.
Will you please have 6000 rations ordered to Guntersville immediately
for the Fifteenth Pennsylvania and Tenth Michigan Cavalry, and give

714 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

orders for the boat that brings them to receive and cross these regi-
ments to north side of Tennessee River.

Wm. J. Palmer,

Brevet Brigaider-General.

HuNTSviLLE, May 22, 1865.
Major-General Stoneman,

General,—! sent a full dispatch of recent operations to you from Gun-
tersville, but the courier being informed that you were not in Knoxville
took it to General Thomas' headquarters at Nashville. I received at
Guntersville on Saturday your orders to bring my command to Knox-
ville, and subsequently an order from General Thomas directing me to
report with my staff and the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry at Nash-
ville, to superintend the muster out of that regiment. I have sent orders
to General Brown to march with his two brigades from South Carolina
to Knoxville, via Hiawassee or Little Tennessee, and to send couriers
at once to notify you where and when he would strike the railroad. The
Twelfth Ohio and Tenth Michigan are marching to Bridgeport, Ala.
The Twelfth will arrive there to-morrow evening; the Tenth Michigan
probably not until Sunday next. This brigade is in very good condi-
tion except as regards clothing. The Fifteenth Pennsylvania will reach
Huntsville on Saturday next. I shall send a staff officer to Knoxville
to-morrow to communicate with you more fully, and to bring here all
officers and men of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry who may be in
your dis-trict or at Chattanooga. Will you please have them relieved
from the duty they are now on.

Wm. J. Palmer,

Brevet Brigaider-General.

Talladega, May 25, 1865.
LiEUT.-CoL. Chas. M. Beits,

Commanding Fifteenth Penna. Vol. Cavalry.
Colonel. — 1 have the honor to report that in obedience to orders
I marched to Talladega on the i6th inst, and awaited there the arrival
of the Tenth Michigan Cavalry, from whom I hoped to obtain informa-
tion of the movements of the rebel General Braxton Bragg. The Tenth
Michigan did not arrive in Talladega until noon of the 17th, when I ascer-
tained that the detail ordered to escort General Bragg to Macon, Ga., had
left him alone at a place called Indian Springs and had returned to join
the Regiment. I communicated this fact to you and started for Mont-
gomery, Ala., which place I reached on the evening of the 19th, having
scouted the country on the way down as far as Vicksburg, on the road
to West Point, Ga., and as far west as the river, without obtaining any
information. On arriving at Montgomery, I immediately reported to
headquarters to Lieutenant Colonel Hough, A. A. G., in the absence

Addenda. 715

of Major General A. J. Smith, commanding Sixteenth Army Corps.
He immediately telegraphed to Brevet Major-General Wilson, at Macon,
who replied that up to that date (19th), Bragg had not reported. I com-
municated to him General Palmer's orders in the matter and he tele-
graphed to General Wilson and to all commanders of cavalry and in-
fantry in the States of Alabama and Mississippi and despatched by
courier, orders to all whom he could not reach by telegraph, to seek
and arrest General Bragg, explaining as far as I was able to give the
information, the circumstances attending his capture and release by
Lieutenant Phillips. I then proceeded to return, but finding by inquiry
from the most prominent citizens that the road up the west side of
the Coosa was exceedingly rough and at times swampy, and about fifty-
five miles farther than the road I had come and my animals being very
badly jaded, I was obliged to return by Wetumka and Rockford, as I
had gone ; and was unable to make more than twenty-four miles a
day. The orders I received from Brigadier General Chrysler, command-
ing the Talladega, and from Major General A. J. Smith, were very im-
perative relative to the taking of animals from citizens, except in cases
of great necessity, that my movements were delayed beyond the time
mentioned in my dispatch, from Talladega. The country for the most
part south of Talladega is very rough, hilly and poor and forage scarce,
it being with much difficulty that I kept my animals regularly fed. I re-
gret to have lost a complete file of papers, which I secured for your
own and the General's use. I will join the Regiment as raoidly as the ex-
hausted state of my animals will allow.

I am, Colonel, with respect, your obedient servant,
Chas. E. Scheide,
Captain Commanding Company K.
Fifteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry.

General Orders | Headquarters Fifteenth Penna. Cavalry,

No. 8. \ HuNTSviLLE, Ala., May 26, 1865.

Fellow-Soldiers, — After a campaign of more than two months, during
which time you have shared a prominent part in securing the grand
result just attained in the suppression of the Rebellion, you have again
reached your railroad communications, and the Lieutenant-Colonel
commanding desires to express the great satisfaction he feels with the
soldierly qualities evinced by you since the date of his assuming com-
mand. During the campaign you have marched nearly 1500 miles,
passed through the States of Tennessee, Virginia, North and South
Carolina,. Georgia, and Alabama, and have subsisted entirely on the
country, in consequence of which you have suffered many priva-
tions, but it is with pride your commanding officer can say he has yet
to hear the first utterance of complaint. Wherever you have encamped
you have left a name eulogized by all, whilst your performance of duty

7i6 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

on the field and elsewhere has elicited nothing but praise from your
Commanding General.

To the officers of the Regiment, the Lieutenant-Colonel Command-
ing takes pleasure in expressing his thanks for their hearty co-operation
and prompt fulfilment of orders. To First Sergeants John Burton, Com-
pany E, and John K. Marshall, Company F, special praise is due for
the ability shown in the management of their companies in the ab-
sence of their respective commanders.

The Regiment will start in a few days for Nashville, , there to be
mustered out of service as soon as the proper papers can be prepared,
and your commander feels assured that during the interval you will
sustain the enviable reputation you have hitherto enjoyed, by the con-
tinuance of the same good discipline and manly conduct.
By order of

Chas. M. Betts,
Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding.

LETTERS OF GENERAL PALMER.

The following are extracts from letters written by General Palmer
to his uncle, Frank H. Jackson, with whom he corresponded during the
Rebellion. All the contents of these, which refer to our regiment,
or have a reference to the military life we then lived, or have historic
value as showing the conditions then existing, are, by the consent of
General Palmer, published.

Headquarters Anderson Cavalry, South Side of French Broad River,
Near Dandridge, at Jim Evans' Ford.

January ii, 1863.
My Dear Frank, —

I have not heard from you since we left Sequatchie Valley — more
than a month ago — although I expect there are letters for me back in
our camp. We are nearly forty miles above Knoxville, in one of the
wildest (and most loyal) parts of East Tennessee, in what is called the
"Muddy Creek District," where the whole power of Jefferson Davis has
never been able to enforce the conscription. Nearly every young man
is now in our army, while the old men and boys are armed, and consider
it a sacred duty to bushwhack every rebel soldier that ventures to enter
this sanctum of loyalty. The original conscripting officer being supposed
to be faint-hearted, the authorities sent over here from Dandridge,
about a year ago, a man named Moore, who had succeeded in enforcing
the hated act elsewhere where others had failed. He came with his
posse, but Muddy Creek was awake, and before the party had gotten

Addenda. 717

very far into its wooded and stony recesses, crack! crack! from a score
of rifles and shotguns hidden by groves and rocks, told them that they
had counted without their host. In an instant the Provost and his clan
were scattered in every direction, but not before one man was killed,
the Provost dismounted and a number of horses shot. The Provost
wandered around till near dark, when he came humbly to the dwelling
of one of the most respectable Muddy Creekers (a regular Nimrod,
who killed eight bears in the North Carolina Mountain the week before
we arrived here), and besought his advice and protection. Nimrod
took pity upon him, and knowing that enraged Muddy Creek would
sacrifice him if found, he concealed him until after night, and then set
him safely across the French Broad. Thus ended the first and last
attempt to conscript in this district of Jefferson County.

There are no secessionists whatever in the Muddy Creek District,
but on its outskirts there are two or three wealthy rebel citizens, with
plenty of corn, fodder, hay, mutton, beef, bacon, potatoes and sorghum
molasses. On the plantation of one of these, named Jim Evans, we are
now encamped, and our boys, are living better than they have for
months on his surplus, while our worn-down and sore-footed horses
are resting after our recent hard scouts and skirmishes in a perfect
surprise at the wealth of grain and "roughness" strewn three times per
day before them. The old Planter is now one of the most humble
specimens of humanity in this humiliated Confederacy. He reached the
point of tears yesterday morning and by to-night we expect will have
to be fitted in a straight- jacket. Every time he ventures out of his
house, towards the camp, he comes quickly back, with some new story
of the outrage and loss. His hay is vanishing, his poultry is gradually
wasting away before his eyes, his straw is being used for bedding by
"poor but honest sogers," and good God ! they are even burning his rails.
He is now a good Union man, talks despairingly of "rebels," curses
South Carolina, and cotton aristocrats, and in various other ways
"crooks the pregnant hinges of the knee that thrift may follow fawning."
With any of these men the loss of a fraction of their property is sufficient
to swamp all the interest they have or have ever had in the establishment
of a Southern Confederacy.

A little expedition that I sent out last night to Clark's Ferry, 17
miles up the French Broad, has just returned with 7 prisoners, some
of whom belong to South Carolina and some to Tennessee regiments,
part cavalry and part infantry.

Three nights ago we picked up eight in the same vicinity and the
next day two. We have been on this side of the French Broad less than
a week but in that time have picked up 25 prisoners and deserters. In
the month that we have been in East Tennessee, we have taken about
40 prisoners and some deserters with our little command of about 250
men.

Every deserter that comes in now states that President Lincoln's
proclamation is known among their troops and that in addition to the

71 8 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

circular extracts our cavalry has distributed within their lines, their own
papers have published it. A large number have already availed them-
selves of the proclamation, and it will undoubtedly tend greatly to
demoralize the rebel army, although I somewhat regret that any proffer
has been made to them, it would be so much better to force them into
the acceptance of any terms we might be willing out of our magnanimity
to offer.

The situation of affairs in this department is peculiar.

Longstreet's army is at Morristown and Russellville with one division
(Ransom's) at Rodgersville. He has in all about 24,000 men in addition
to 6000 cavalry under General Martin. The cavalry is stationed on the
north side of French Broad from Dandridge to mouth of Nolichucky.

Longstreet's army is in a terrible plight for clothing and shoes,
especially the latter, and General McLaw's commanding one (of the four)
divisions of his infantry, who was recently relieved by Longstreet for
some misconduct at Bean's Station, and sent on to Richmond, reported
to the authorities there that his division was "unfit for duty."

Our own army, however, comprising Granger's Fourth Corps with
Burnside's old army, and half the Chattanooga cavalry with Burnside's
mounted infantry is hardly in better fix for clothing than the rebels,
although I believe that supplies are now coming in. General Grant is at
Knoxville or Strawberry Plains, and I believe has resolved on an active
winter campaign. I hope he has, as I believe an energetic push at this
time, before Longstreet finishes the railroad bridges, connecting him
with Bristol and Richmond, would ruin him. I do not like the idea of
his army remaining in East Tennessee and feeding everything up this
winter. Some citizens, who came into our lines to-day from Parrotts-
ville, above Newport, informed me that he is building pontoons to cross
the Chucky near Warrensburgh. This looks something like an intention
to retreat up the French Broad into North Carolina.

I took breakfast, dinner and supper at Knoxville with General Grant.
He resembles Enoch Lewis of the P. R. R. very much, has a square-
built head. Would make, I should think, a good mechanician. There
is nothing imposing about him in appearance but he looks practical.
Hard, blunt experience has made a good practical General out of him.
I also saw there General Foster. Two hundred miles of rough country
roads and the Cumberland mountains in a severe winter separating his
army from a depot of supplies is rather too much on the muscovite order
of campaigning for him.

W. J. P.

RossviLLE, Ga., May 5, 1864.
My Dear F. H. J.,—

The rear of Hooker's Corps, which has been passing our head-
quarters for three or four days is going by. Butterfield's, Williams'
and Geary's divisions, say 20,000 compose it, the 4th (Rousseau's)
being left back to guard railroad at Nashville. Butterfield told
me he had 7500 men. Geary, who stopped here this morning, said his

Addenda. Jig

division had twenty regiments averaging four hundred men. Williams'
I believe is smaller than the others. He and General Knipe stopped and
took a "sandwich" yesterday. Old Joe Hooker and General Sickels did
the same this morning and have gone on to Gordon's Mills. General
McPherson and General Logan rode over here from Lookout Valley
yesterday and stopped a half hour. McPherson's troops are now follow-
ing Hooker's. Old Joe said McPherson had 20,000 this morning, but
General Williams told m,e yesterday 8000. The truth lies somewhere
between the two — probably not over 10,000 coming up. Hooker and
McPherson seem to be co:icentrating in Chickamauga Valley with their
right at Gordons Mills. One of General Geary's stafif, Capt. Elliott, an old
schoolmate of mine, told me this morning that General Hooker counted
up 103,000 yesterday (with other Generals at his headquarters) to partici-
pate in this movement.

General Thomas, with Sherman, Schofield and several other gen-
erals, officers, and their respective staffs left Chattanooga, by railroad,
for Ringgold yesterday, and Sherman now has his headquarters there,
as also has Thomas. Captain Garner's squadron of our Regiment (escort)
went by here yesterday with the headquarter train for Ringgold. I do not
know the plan of the campaign but I take it for granted first that Buzzard
Roost and Dalton will be flanked ; second that the rebels will not make a
stand this side of the Oostenaula or Etowah, if there. Our progress must
be very slow, after the original supply of forage and provisions that the
army sets out with is exhausted. I hope and think we shall get our
horses at Nashville and catch up with the front before much blood is
spilled. The weather is splendid, the roads hard and dry, and getting
very dusty. Some of McPherson's troops came up by railroad from
' Huntsville. McPherson is tall, robust, but not stout, and has an honest,
good-humored, plain face with a retrousse nose. His manners are very
simple, easy, and cordial. As we had no whiskey he said he preferred
water. This was no doubt to make us feel at ease about it. Fighting
Joe and Dan Sickles have not been very long gone. A photographer
happening to be here at the time, taking somie pictures of the Ross
house for us, these two distinguished Generals were taken with the
officers of the Anderson Cavalry. Hooker still seems to have faith in
the Potomac Army. He is a very agreeable gentleman with all the rough
corners and sharp projections nicely rubbed off. I was quite well
pleased with Sickles. He talks like a reserved, thoughtful, private
gentleman, independent in means, who has traveled considerably ; does
his own thinking and has no instincts that are not gentlemanly. This
is how he impresses you. He has to be helped on his horse, and then
screws the stump of his leg to the pommel of his saddle. Sickles comes
out to ascertain the temper of the native population. If he would squat
down here at the post of the United States forces, called Rossville, he
would see this population in its amusing aspect. Yours.

W. J. P.

720 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Camp near Nashville, July lo, 1864.
;My Dear Frank, —

I received your wrathful letter of June 29th last Tuesday, on return-
ing from Springfield, a pleasant rural locality, where Lieut.-Col. Lamborn
is whiling away the summer weeks with one battalion of this patient
Regiment. He went up there to press horses, but found that all those
fit for cavalry service had previously been run over the border into
Kentucky. He informed me of this fact, which I immiediately com-
municated to the authorities, with a request that we should be allowed
to press the horses in the "dark and bloody ground." But their mouth-
piece, Brig.-General Sooy Smith, chief of staff of Sherman's army, hero of
the North Mississippi expedition, informed me in reply that "Kentucky was
not considered as a State in rebellion.'' As he was just starting for a
train, I did not delay him to state that I had a week previous sent an
application to Gen. Geo. H. Thomas, first representing that I could see
no prospect of getting mounted here, and second, applying for authority
to proceed "to Kentucky or one of the States north of the Ohio for the
purpose of buying horses at the government price, or failing in that
impress thern." The answer that I received to this reached me before
starting back from Springfield. It is — that the application has been
received and forwarded to General Halleck with the request that it be
granted. I expect to hear from "Old Brains" by Wednesday, which will
give him two days to sleep on the proposition, but I much fear that red
tape will require the answer of the Chief of the Cavalry Bureau.

W. J. P.

Camp Lookout, Wauhatchie, November 22, 1864.
Dear Frank, —

I received yours of the i6th to-day. You and I should thank our
stars that we are not on picket in Lookout Valley to-night. I certainlv
do, that I am sitting in this comfortable tent writing to you and reading
"Sheridan's ride" and the Nashville Times, instead of riding about at
out posts, as your friend, Lieut. Tony Taylor, has just been doing
in performance of his duty as ofificer of the day. He has just told
me that he was two hours in riding from one vedette to another not
over half a mile from the first. It is one of those black nights we
are apt to remember, with a cold, blustering wind, cold enough to make
a thick crust on the bottomless mud, but not quite enough to prevent
you from sinking indefinitely into it. Happiness, I suppose, is only
comparative, but I assure you an immense deal of quiet pleasure and
contentment seems to be stored in a wall tent with a fire-place to it,
on a night like this. Even your tempting proposition to "come home
and eat oysters for a while" faijs to have effect, as one sits toasting his toes
and contrasting in his mind the outside and the inside of this comfortable
house of canvas. We have had rain and mud, the great enemies of
cavalry life, for three weeks. When will it end? I hope it has not
interfered wi.th the grand strategic march of Sherman, who started

Addenda. 721

from Atlanta about the nth with about 50,000 men, for — I do not know
where. There is as much ignorance on the subject here as among the
gold speculators in New York, since the Georgia Railroad is not used
south of Resaca, and there has been no communication with Sherman
since he started. I think, however, that there will be some oysters
eaten by his men before a month, though I doubt if they will be Atlantic
oysters. Montgomery and Mbbile are most probably the objective
points. What Beauregard will do, I do not know. I do not even know
where he is. If he is going to Memphis, I suppose he will let Price's
army, etc., across to reinforce him. If Sherman is really going to
Mobile, Beauregard can get his army there before him from Corinth by
railroad, unless Sherman can cut it with his cavalry, of which he has
only a small force, under Kilpatrick, not over 3000 I suppose.

Sherman runs no particular risk in this movement because he can
destroy in his rear the whole railroad system of the rebels in the south-
west as he marches, and when he approaches the seaboard if unable
to connect with Gordon Granger, he can draw supplies from Pensacola.
I think the rebels made their grand flank movement to the Ten-
nessee River under a mistaken apprehension, and that they see it now
and wish they had staid where they were in Georgia. Some of their
Generals would also feel as well satisfied if there had been a shade less
of glorification in the speeches they made just before leaving Gadsden.
Meantime "Old Pap" is taking care of the Military Division of the
Mississippi, and has, I suppose, at all his posts, from Nashville down,
as many men as Sherman took with him. We will hear of Sherman's
movements first from, the rebels, unless they should interdict all mention
of him by their papers.

One hundred of my men just arrived this evening from Louisville,
with horses. I have now over 600 officers and men at this camp — not
counting the squadron at headquarters, which has not yet joined us.
The command is entirely mounted with quite a number of surplus horses
to meet emergencies or mount recruits if another invoice of these
should arrive.

We have built a fencing hall and in spite of the bad weather have
all our officers drilling with the foils and masks two or three hours daily.
The men have a -daily drill in the broadsword exercise when the weather
permits. By remembering that that extortionate rascal, our sutler, could
be taxed, I raised $500 of the Salignac pay. Monsieur Sutler said he
wouldn't pay the tax, whereupon we put his men and their establishment
under guard. The head rogue had gone of? to Nashville to buy some
more goods. As there were four pretty good mules among the property,
we kept the guard on, and said nothing more about it. The United
States Government would give $600 for them any day. After the lapse
of about ten days, there arrived at these headquarters first a letter from
the chief scoundrel saying he wouldn't pay; second, his partner, after a
five-minute interview, paid the bill. Of course, he didn't do it without
first trving a good deal of finesse, including a proposition to deposit

46

722 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

the value of the tax with the regimental treasurer as security, to be held
until the matter could be decided. But I told him I supposed the mules —
which were to drag his teams to Nashville after the new supply of
stores— were fully worth the amount of the bill, and from his prompt
action thereafter, I presume he came to the conclusion that they prob-
ably were. We would give them their walking papers, but it would take
some time to get another, and in the meantime the tax is running on at
the rate of ten cents per month for each officer and soldier. We fixed
the villain's prices for his goods by a council of administration. He
signalized his entrance into the Regiment by sending up various bottles
of Cincinnati wine, champagne, etc., to our- heaquarters — a practice which
suddenly ceased when we promptly sent them back by an orderly with
our compliments and the information that we would send for what we
wanted.

Kerby, my spy companion of Castle Thunder, is at Nashville, where
he has ingratiated himself through his desperate impudence, every-
where, and now has four clerks, who aid him in the transaction of his im-
portant private affairs, which include the sutlership of the Post of Clarks-
ville, a large wood contract from the Government at Nashville, and the sut-
lership of a negro regiment. As General Whipple, chief of staff to General
Thomas, was on Dix's staff at Fortress Monroe when Kerby operated about
there, the latter recalled the circumstances, reminded Whipple of his ser-
vices to the government, which Whipple knew of perfectly well, and got
thereby some of the army patronage. I told General Whipple he was
almost dangerously smart. He seems at all events to be too smart to lie,
unless it be on a very large scale, for instance adapted to Castle Thunder,
where I fear truth has been so entirely crushed to earth that she will not!
rise again soon.

Yours,

W. J. P.

Camp Lookout, Wauh.\tchie, Dec. 12, 1864.
My Dear Frank;, —

The blockade which I prophesied in my last letter to mother, from
Nashville, has now lasted two weeks. I do not think it can last much
longer, and I therefore write to you now, while we are. still cut off by an
army of 40,000 enemies from all the rest of the world, in order that my
letter may be in the post-office to go North with the first renewal of mail
communication. I succeeded in getting here from Nashville with my
thirty-five recruits in what I thought at the time would be, as it proved
in reality, one of the last trains run. Hood's army moving northward
from Columbia threw off a detachment probably of cavalry, which soon
after cut the railroad between Murfreesboro and Nashville, and captured
a train of colored troops with some artillery horses, as reported. The
telegraph was interrupted even before I left Nashville, so that an impor-
tant disoatch from General Thomas to General Steadman, who commanded
the forces in and about Chattanooga, was sent by my hands, the contents

Addenda. 723

being also comimunicated to me by General Thomas, so that the dispatch
could be destroyed in case of necessity. Now that no harm can be done
by disclosure, I may tell you what those instructions were to General
Steadman, and how they came to be confided to me. Finding myself in
Nashville, at a moment when I saw all decisive operations were certain
to take place in that vicinity, I asked "Old Pap" if I could not bring
my Regiment to Nashville. He replied that we were the only cavalry
left near Chattanooga and that we could not possibly be spared. I
referred to our mobility, and ventured to suggest that some command
less mobile might take our place at Chattanooga ; to which the General
replied that it was precisely because we were so mobile that he wanted
us there, and that we were equal to any two regiments he could send
there. He added that in certain contingencies we might be of service
on the flank and rear of the enemy, and then, after a moment's thought,
said "Do you think you could take your Regiment and destroy Hood's
pontoon bridge over the Tennessee at Tuscumbia?" We took a map,
and on looking at it, the General said the distance through the enemy's
country was too great for us to approach the bridge before being
discovered in time to enable the rebels to foil the object. He did not
know, either, the strength of the force left behind to guard it — although
the most natural supposition was that a bridge of such possibly vast
importance would not be left without a secure guard, strongly en-
trenched. That evening, I met the Captain of General Hatch's escort,
who had been with our cavalry that had retired the last from Florence
when Hood's army crossed and advanced. He had questioned a number
of prisoners, who declared that a "Division" had been left to protect
the bridge. I mentioned this to General Thomas when I saw him again
the next miorning, whereupon he told me that he was just writing a
dispatch to General Steadman, asking him whether he could take 5000
men from Chattanooga with our regiment of cavalry, and by using the
railroad from Stevenson to Decatur and crossing the river, thereby
relaying General Granger's pontoon, move rapidly on the south side
to Tuscumbia and destroy the bridge. It was this dispatch he sent by
me, with additional verbal orders directing General Steadman to prepare
his troops at once for a march, to await further orders from General
Thomas, unless communication was cut off by telegraph (via Cumberland
Gap), and in the last event to proceed to Tuscumbia if he considered
it practicable to destroy the bridge; otherwise to remain at Chattanooga
until he was satisfied that a considerable force of the enemy had struck
the railroad between Chattanooga and Nashville, and then to move by
train with 5000 men to Cowan, on the railroad at the western foot of the
Cumberland Mountains. I communicated these orders on Monday — two
weeks ago yesterday — and General Steadman, deciding at once to strike
for the pontoon, made his preparations for that movement with such
energy that on Tuesday evening ten trains with 6000 infantry and two
batteries of artillery started from Chattanooga, and reached Stevenson
before morning. We were ordered to march to Bridgeport (24 miles)

724 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

and there embark on four transports and proceed under the cover of
two gunboats to Decatur. When we reached Bridgeport, I found that
under orders from General Thomas, which had succeeded in getting
through by telegraph, General Steadman had gone on with all his
troops increased by several regiments from Bridgeport, to Cowan,
leaving orders for us to follow, marching — the distance being 37 miles
with the Cumberland Mountains to cross.

The pontoon expedition was thus abandoned, and Steadman had fol-
lowed out the other alternative suggested in his instructions. It turned
out that General Granger, whose brigade had been at Decatur and was
at that time retreating toward Stevenson, had so slightly destroyed his
own bridge at Decatur that the rebels had saved enough to enable them
to use it at that place, also that a force of rebel cavalry had entered Hunts-
ville after Granger retreated and captured a locomotive and eighteen
cars, which they could probably make excellent use of between Decatur
and Pulaski to supply their main army. These circumstances and also
perhaps the belief that he might want Steadman's force nearer at hand,
had induced General Thomas to change the destination of these troops
to Cowan.

But when Steadman reached Cowan, another telegraphic order came
by the direct line from General Thomas, directing him to come at once
to Nashville, with his whole force. As Steadman had with him nearly
all the troops intended for the protection of the important points of
Chattanooga, Bridgeport, and Stevenson, he was at first disposed not to
credit this order, but to attribute it to the enemy, who had possibly placed
an operator of their own somewhere along the wire and were trying
to entice him into a trap. The operator at Cowan, however, assured
him that he was familiar with the "writing" of the Nashville operator
who transmitted the dispatch, and that it was genuine. "What !" said
the General, "leave all this country south of the Cumberland Mountains
comparatively abandoned?" It was no timie to ask questions, however,
even had he been abie to do so, which he was not, as the wire was almost
immediately cut after the transmission of the last important dispatch.
So Steadman crowded his troops again into his eleven trains and started
shortly after midnight of Wednesday, November 29th, for Nashville.
We afterwards learned indirectly that he reached there safely with the
exception of his last train, which, as I heretofore stated, was fired into
and captured within a few miles of Nashville. Whatever General Stead-
man may have thought at the moment of his sudden and unexpected
movement I think myself that it was strategically correct, and as soon
as I heard of its successful execution my opinion of General Thomas'
ability was raised. Behind the strong fortifications we have at every
important point this side of the mountains, small forces can hold large
ones at bay for a long time. We have abundance of provisions, which
will last still longer for sm.all garrisons, while the country hereabouts is
not capable of sustaining a large force of the enemy. Finally these
places are not of the importance to the enemy that they used to be

Addenda. 725

before Sherman destroyed the lines of communication south of them.
All the rails from Dalton to Atlanta have been taken up and brought to
Chattanooga and the bridges destroyed, besides the destruction of
railroads beyond Atlanta. If Hood should be badly defeated, these
places' would be in no danger, as he could not then afford to retreat this
way; while if Nashville is taken, Chattanooga would not be of much
consequence to us, and the fewer troops left here, probably the better.
But above all it could not be unwise, since Hood was showing an inten-
tion to risk a pitched battle in front of Nashville, to have the positive
advantage of the immediate use of Steadman's 7000 soldiers in that en-
counter rather than the possible benefit that they might be, under certain
conditions at Chattanooga and Bridgeport. I therefore think that the
midnight order, which was received so suspiciously at Cowan was a very
wise one — but its fulfillment was a close scrape. I should think Steadman's
soldiers would not soon forget that ride "along the perilous edge of
fate." To return to the cavalry: As soon as General Steadman received
the order to proceed on to Nashville, he telegraphed to me at Bridge-
port to return to Wauhatchie, but through an inadvertence of the tele-
graph operator I never received the dispatch until I reached Cowan.
Unwilling then to return, if there was a possibility of our doing anything
on the flank, and knowing that everything of this kind would depend
on the result of a battle, which might even then be taking place near
Nashville, I concluded to remain at Tantallon and telegraph to General
Thomas, via Cumberland Gap, for further orders. After four days these
orders came "to return to Wauhatchie." So back we came, and here we
are on half rations of hard bread and salt pork — the rations having
wisely been reduced as soon as the blockade began. We have fresh beef,
however, with desiccated vegetables, and some onions. The first is
growing so much tougher every day, with the poverty of the grazing
and no corn to feed to the cattle, that it is a nice question how tough
it will be at the expiration of another week. Doubtless the only use
it will then be fit for will be to make pepper pot.

Colonel Lamborn left for Dalton on Monday with his battalion to pro-
tect "my triangle" as General Meagher (who has been left in command at
Chattanooga) called it. I have not heard yet whether the Patriot
accompanied him or not. There were several tribes of somewhat audacious
guerrillas hovering around the southern apex of the railroad triangle,
which the active imagination of sundry nervous post commanders
has induced the General to transform into as many brigades of
Wheelers cavalry. I presume as soon as Colonel Lamborn has proved
that "three regiments of Georgia cavalry" are not "lying in Broomtown
Valley" and that "Horton's rebel brigade" is not "near Spring Place
threatening to attack Dalton," he will be allowed to return here to his
"moutons," which means fencing. Yours,

W. J. P.

'J26 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Nashville, February 7, 1865.
My Dear Frank, —

I have received your favor referring to the offer of Mr. Wright.

Whatever it is intended to be, I must, with many thanks to him for
his good opinions and to you for your good ofifices, decline it.

My reasons for this are even stronger than they were at the close
of the Corinth campaign.

It is possible that the war is nearly over. I hope it is. But war is
such a delicate and critical affair that even with our present superiority
in men, position, and prestige, a slight accident or blunder may set
everything back and prolong the contest another year or two.

The loss of my services would have been trivial had I resigned the
command of my company in June, 1862; it would be greater now that an
experience of nearly three years with much more important commands
has been added.

But my chief reason for not leaving the army at this time, is that
I cannot leave my Regiment, in consequence of its peculiar history, in the
hands of anybody else whatever. I left it once, to my sorrow, and it
came near being ruined. The blot its reputation then received has been
so thoroughly effaced that I think if General Thomas were asked to-day
he would say it is the best regiment of cavalry in his army.

Since I returned from Richmond, I have guarded its honor with
constant vigilance. Its time of service is out next September, and I must
stay with it to the end. Yours truly,

Wm. J. Palmer.

Nashville, February 7, 1865.
My Dear Frank, —

I received your brief letter as we were about leaving our camp near
Huntsville for a twelve days' scout after guerrillas. The scout terminated
on Friday last when we returned to camp with 25 prisoners, including a
Captain and two Lieutenants. This is the way we have been carrying
out General Thomas' order to rest our horses. Yesterday morning I
left Huntsville for this intolerable city in the hopes that I would get to
see General Thomas and General Whipple, but the former has not yet
arrived and the latter has gone on to Louisville, whither I may also
proceed to-morrow.

General Thomas has not much of an army left now. The 23d
Army Corps has gone east, A. J. Smith's (i6th) Corps by transport
to Mobile, and there is nothing left here but the 4th Army Corps, which
is at Huntsville, and the cavalry at Eastport. The cavalry will probably
soon set out, if it has not already started across the State of Alabama,
to take Selma and Montgomery, and destroy the railroad communications
of Alabama and Mississippi. Whether we shall accompany the expedi-
tion I do not know. Large expeditions of cavalry are very apt to be
mismanaged, so that I do not much care to go along with it. I think
the pursuit of Hood's army after the Nashville battle might have been

Addenda. 727

more vigorous. I also think that this expedition should have started
immediately after Hood recrossed the Tennessee, for then they could
have done all the mischief they wanted to in Alabama, and have gone
to Mobile before meeting any efficient resistance. As it is, one or two
corps of Hood's army have used these railroads to get rapidly on the
road to Augusta, whither they are going to endeavor to impede
Sherman.

General Thomas is so well pleased with our pontoon and supply train
expedition, and with the manner in which we paid our compliments to
Roddy, Russell and Lyon, that he has (I learned to-day) recommended
me to the President for a "star." As that was done, however, more than
a year ago, by another Major-General. the information has not troubled
my equanimity much, and I imagine the result will be about the same
as it was then. If Old Abe is waiting for me to send a deputation of
politicians to Washington to blow my trumpet he will probably wait for
some time.

I have, with much regret, approved Charles Lamborn's resignation.
Venus has woven her meshes around him. General Thomas has not
approved it yet, but will probably do so. That makes Betts Lieutenant-
Colonel, and Wagner Major.

I am anxious to get your long letter. What has become of poor
Airey? Yours,

Wm. J. Palmer.

Nashville, February 12, 1865.
My Dear Frank, —

I returned here from Louisville last, evening, and found that General
Thomas had already arrived from Eastport. This morning I called upon
him, when he received me very cordially and enquired pleasantly how "the
Fifteenth" was getting along. The old soldier is in full glow of health, and
I think is the finest looking, as well as the ranking officer of his army.
Headquarters are now fully established at Nashville, and the branch
office, which was at Chattanooga during Hood's blockade, has been
moved up here. The General told me in the course of the interview
that he had recommended me for the position of a Brigadier-General,
once immediately after the close of the Atlanta campaign, a second
time just before the Nashville battle, and thirdly when he forwarded to
the War Department my report of our pursuit into Mississippi, and
capture of Hood's pontoon bridge and the train. He then asked if I
had any friends in Pennsylvania, who had influence at Washington,
who would push the matter? I replied that I had friends of influence, but
that I would not call upon them for such a purpose, and that if the
authorities would not appoint me on General Thomas' recommendation,
they could leave it alone. The General then said that the President had
usually made appointments on the recommendation of Department Com-
manders, but that the trouble was in the confirmation by the Senate, and
that some political influence had usually to be exerted to effect this.

728 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

He asked me who I knew? I told him Thomas A. Scott, former Asst.
Secretary of War. The General said he knew Mr. Scott and that he
would telegraph to him at once about the matter. After conversing
on some other subjects, I was about rising to go, when he got me to
write down for him Colonel Scott's address ; I did so and took my leave.

Now my opinion is that when a General like old Thomas, who won
himself the first and the last battle fought in the West, and was the chief
instrument in winning all the rest — who has never been defeated in any
that he has fought, either as commander or subordinate, and who has
twice saved the army from destruction when commanded by others —
who has just done his country the service of inflicting the most crushing
defeat of the war upon an enemy who had assumed the offensive and
advanced 300 miles from the point to which he was driven in the summer;
who was an experienced soldier when the war began, and who is well
known never to say anything but what he means. When this cool,
thoughtful, dignified old veteran recommends an officer at three different
periods for promotion for gallantry and efficiency, it is rather hard that
such a General should be obliged afterwards to telegraph to a citizen
of Pennsylvania to aid him in placing the subordinate in the command
that he thinks the interest of the service require. Looking at the case
purely as an observer, it seems to me that in this particular the Republic
needs mending. Don't you think so?

I consider the interest "Old Pap" manifested in me, in volunteering
to do this in my behalf, which I wouldn't do for myself, as a compliment
worth more than all the stars in the President's firmament. I don't
claim to be particularly modest, but there are certain things which I
don't think a man ought to beg for — and one of those is military
promotion. You know I never would allow that in my men, and if it's
a good rule for them, it must be for me. The only thing a soldier
has the right to beg for is a chance to distinguish himself in the field.

We shall leave Huntsville in a few days and go back to Wauhatchie
to refit. The General is going to give us Spencer carbines, and enough
horses to supply those we have lost and that have been broken down in
the service. You know "one can't make omelette without breaking eggs"
as Monsieur Salignac says every time we have a man killed or wounded.

After we get fitted up, we are to go on a long and important
expedition from which it is possible we will never return to Chattanooga.
I cannot tell you where it is, because "Old Pap" pledged me to tell no man.
He has picked out our Regiment specially to go because he says I can
find the roads. He wishes me to command a brigade on the expedition,
and hence apparently his haste about the confirmation matter. Please
say nothing about the expedition at present. Yours.

Wm. J. Palmer.

Addenda. 729

Camp at Mastins, near Huntsville.
February 27, 1865.
]\Iy Dear Frank, —

I have received your four favors to the i6th inclusive.

One of the finest specimens of a country gentleman that I have ever
met, was a man named Montcastle, in East Tennessee, near Mossy
Creek. We camped on his plantation last winter one night, and
although he was a rebel, he belonged to the Free-Masonry of Gentlemen,
and before I knew it I found myself regretting every bushel of corn
that we fed, and sympathizing for every one of his fence rails that we
were compelled to burn. We did not inflict much damage, however,
but the next day a regiment of cavalry paid him a visit, and be-
cause he was a rebel, robbed him of his watch and all his money,
despoiled his house and out buildings, and also stole his dishes and
bed quilts. I have seldom sympathized so much with any sufferer in this
rough business of war, as I have with him. He was obliged to leave his
place, and I believe went North to earn a livelihood for his family.

He was a man of fine feelings, had always been generous and kind
to his poor neighbors, who were chiefly loyal, and was spoken of by
them in the highest terms.

We frequently meet such men in our marches, and always make it
a point to leave them as far as possible unmolested, so that they may
remain to teach nobility by example to the communities in which they
live. There are a few of them in North Alabama, and wherever met,
I have found that my Regiment, by a sort of instinct, has respected them,
and avoided even those smaller inflictions by which an army makes its
presence felt. You may say that this is not war. I reply that within
two weeks after Montcastle was despoiled, the regiment that laid its
heavy hand upon him, and the division in which it was, were driven back
to Sevierville in utter disorder by an inferior force of the enemy's
cavalry, while the Fifteenth Pennsylvania was ordered out by General
Sturges to hold the important road which their retreat had left open.

We leave Huntsville day after to-morrow for Wauhatchie, where the
reinforcement of horses, for which we sent to Louisville, will join us
within a few days after our arrival. I wish you could be here to-day to
enjoy a taste of summer in February. This valley is more beautiful than
the Cumberland Valley in Pennsylvania, and to-day it is like late May, if
not June. Yours,

Wm. J. Palmer.

Athens, Ga., May 6, 1865.
Dear Frank Jackson, —

I am so exceedingly busy at the moment with a courier party of fifty
men starting from here to Dalton; that I have only time to say that I am
well and have been so, that I now command Stoneham's Division of nine
regiments, and wish Stoneman, or Gillem rather, had left it in better
discipline when they retired (my own old brigade behaves finely), that

730 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

the rebellion is over, that there will be no fighting in the Trans-
Mississippi Department, that I succeeded in throwing my division in
front of Jeff Davis, which caused him to disband his four brigades of
cavalry escort (except what surrendered), and to take it "a la Scotch
Cap," that I am now hunting him at every cross-road, ford, ferry, and
bridge, from the Blue Ridge to Milledgeville. Also that if you people
at home consent to anything short of immediate and unconditional
emancipation, you will never cease to rue it. Pardon everybody but
Jeff and remit confiscation of all other than slave property.
Please give the enclosed to Mr. Morton after reading it.
Respectfully yours,

Wm. J. Palmer.

Headquarters of Cavalry Division of East Tennessee,
Athens, Ga.^ May 6, 1865.
Mr. Samuel C. Morton,

Philadelphia, Penna.
Dear Sir, —

I have no right to communicate directly with the President of the
United States, being forbidden by the position I hold in the army, but
as I have had peculiar and extraordinary opportunities of becoming
acquainted with the phases of public sentiment among the most intelli-
gent men in North and South Carolina and Georgia since the surrender
of Lee's army, I have a strong desire that President Johnson should
become acquainted with one or two points that I shall mention in this
letter.

Of course everybody has abandoned the cause, and the most intelli-
gent and influential men everywhere have candidly acknowledged to me
that they are entirely in the power of the United States Government,
and will have to submit to any terms that may be imposed. Not one of
them has the slightest expectation of any continued resistance in the
Trans-Mississippi Department — nor do they wish it. I am satisfied from
the inquiries made of me by leading men in all the three States named,
that a strong united efifort will be made throughout the South to influence
Northern sentiment to grant the gradual abolition of slavery. This is
the utmost they hope for.

Now I hope most sincerely that those who have the settlement of
this matter will not be influenced (by any fear of a sullen resistance to
the authority of the Government or any desire to pacify the Southern
people and make them give a cheerful submission to what is so unpal-
atable) to yield this point. They should consent to nothing but an
immediate and unconditional abolition of slavery. I have told these
people everywhere that no matter what else is done, this is inevitable ;
that as they evidently expected universal confiscation, subjugation, and
in some cases annihilation, they should deem the other mild terms ;
that as their labor system has to be reorganized on a compensatory
basis, the sooner it is begun the sooner they will have a stable system —

Addenda. 731

and that they have more to fear from insurrections and disturbances
among the negroes if their emancipation is procrastinated, than if it
were immediate, especially since the whites have been disarmed and so
many of the blacks made soldiers.

Some of their leading people have partially admitted the force of
these arguments, but all would, I am convinced, cheerfully submit to
these terms if they found that this was the best and the worst, and that
no general confiscation would ensue.

If slavery is not immediately got rid of, pacification will be
indefinitely delayed, and political parties in the North will before long
be based on this issue.

I would be glad to see even the leaders of the rebellion or most of
them pardoned, and not a dollar's worth of other than slave property
confiscated, in order to gain this point, and it might be done in a way
to ensure the influence of these leaders to make the main point (imme-
diate abolition) palatable to the Southern people.

The crime of rebellion is so great that any punishment of those con-
cerned seems trifling and insignificant. And the value of the property
that might be confiscated to the United States Government is absurdly
small compared to the mere pecuniary advantages it would derive from
the increase of taxable property in the South, in a very few years under
a free labor system.

But let us have freedom everywhere — the whites of the South
expect it, the negroes are longing for it, and civilization and peace
demand it.

With kind regards to yourself, I am. Sir,
Yours very respectfully,

Wm. J. Palmer,

Brev. Brig. Genl.

(Commanding Stoneman's Cavalry).

HuNTSviLLE, June I, 1865.
My Dear Frank, —

On returning to Huntsville, after completing our modest circle of
2000 miles, I found, to my great pleasure, your favors of March 9th, 21st,
and 25th and May 6th. As I wrote you about two days ago, one of
my mails went astray over in that big hollow between Smoky Moun-
tains and the Blue Ridge and I had no doubt but that some of your
letters were in it. I sent up to Knoxville to trace that mail up, but my
aide, who went for that purpose, returned a few days ago without a
clue. So I am forced to forego the pleasure of reading any letter you
may have sent to me in April.

In one of your letters you requested that I should let you know
where our expedition was going to come out. I never did so, because
after the interview I had with General Thomas, in Nashville, and at which
he told me we were to go to South Carolina, the plans were all changed.
While I knew generally that our amended objects were to cut the railroad

732 History of the Fifteenth Peiuisyhaiiia Cavalry.

in rear of Lee and Johnston, I knew very little else until we had crossed
the Smoky Mountain. Otherwise I should have been pleased to write
the one name which would have given you so much satisfaction.

You may be sure, had we actually reached the coast, that nothing-
would have pleased me better than to have encountered you on the
beach in the interesting attitude that you have described, oysters and
all. That sight would have atoned for all the fatigue and discomforts
of so long a ride.

As I haven't heard from- you or from a single soul at home since
my return to Huntsville, I suspect that you have all gone off to some
delightful watering place. But if you are not thus enjoying yourself
better, can't you come out and meet us at Nashville? I shall have my
horses there and we could ride out to the Ackland Place, the Harding
Park, the Hermitage, Fort ZoUicofifer, etc. I know every lane, hill, and
meadow around Nashville and would have time to show you everything;
and each evening we would balance the account of the day by taking
a plunge into the cool waters of the quiet Cumberland. I have always
had a desire that you should see something of the country in which
we have been campaigning for four years, and which I know better than
I do any portion of Pennsylvania. I want to show vou before I leave
the service the battlefields of Stone River, Tullahoma, Chickamauga,
Lookout Mountain, and Missionary Ridge, and also, if possible, Shiloh
and Knoxville. I can take you all around without cost, after you once
reach Nashville. We shall start from here for Nashville in about a week
and shall probably have to remain there about ten days before our papers
are completed. Can't you meet me there?

Your reference to Captain (you're an unforgiving fellow)

calls up a variety of old associations. I suppose now that the war is
over, I may consider that the rope has been removed from my neck.
It is true that Lieber says they can't hang a captured soldier for having
been a spy on a previous occasion, but I had made up my mind that
the Confederacy and old Winder might not have studied "Lieber," and
that I would never be captured alive unless wounded. By the way,
you will be gratified to learn that the last seen of old General Pendleton,
Lee's chief of artillery, who captured me at Dam No. 4, and was so
stupid as not to be able to comprehend the geological enthusiasm which
would prompt a young man of my experience to cross the river at that
time, was at Appomattox, where one of his officers, Lieut. Col. Lane,
son of Jim Lane, whom we captured on the Catawba, told me he had
seen him getting away at Appomattox Court House. His horse had thrown
him in his anxiety to avoid capture, and not having time to recover a per-
pendicular position he was still going ahead, horizontally. I have only one
wish in regard to the old artillery General — I would like to put him
through as rigid a course of cross-questioning as he did my unlucky
self in the Valley of Virginia, to see if he could stand it as well. I could
then say with content "Go ! there is room enough in the world for thee
and me." To this day, however, whenever I wish to have a vivid

Addenda. 733

conception of purgatory I recall how I felt on that September day when
General Pendleton, having pretty nearly exhausted himself, turned sud-
denly and said "Well, you say you were in Williamsport on Monday?
(wasn't nearer than Greencastle). Did you see any of our forces there?"
"No." "What!" burst in both the old persecutor and the Captain of the
battery, "you were in Williamsport on Monday and didn't see any of
our forces?" (I did see a very distinct rope suspended from the limb
of a very distinct tree just about then, but I soon came to the rapid
conclusion that if the announcement of there having been no troops
there on that occasion created such a demonstrative expression of sur-
prise, it was barely possible I might be mistaken in regard to the matter.
At all events it made very little difiference to me, and I was prepared to
yield a contested point to avoid dispute. Galileo did the same thing
about a much more important matter, and why shouldn't I?)

So I replied that "I saw a great many wagons going through, and
a great many stragglers, wagon guards, etc., and that there might have
been some regular body of troops, but that I hadn't seen any."

I knew that 1500 Yankee cavalry cutting its way out from Harper's
Ferry that morning couldn't pass within five miles of Williamsport or
any other place without disturbing the rebel pulse slightly if there had
been any rebels there.

"Oh ! well go on," said the General. I wonder if I shall ever be
forgiven for all the lies I told on that occasion? As the story was toler-
ably well connected. I hope at least the Recording Angel will set it
all down as one lie. It would suit me still better if he would drop a tear
and blot it all out.

You say we must go on to Richmond this summer and see Castle
Thunder. Nothing would give me greater pleasure. I want to show you
where the new floor rises over the board that covers our aperture of
expected deliverance. Poor Clark! He could not live to see the country
saved for which he worked and fought so bravely. If anyone doubts the
existence of unalloyed patriotism, I do not, after knowing Major Clark.
We must get the new jailer to take up that floor in the corner and
make us a present of the board that conceals the hole.

We burned down the infamous Salisbury prison as we came along
that way. It is only necessary to see one of these prison lots to know
that the sufifering inflicted has been intentional. Why leave thousands
of men without a plank to shelter them from sun or storm, compelling
them to burrow in the ground and live like muskrats, when there is a
primeval forest adjoining Salisbury, from which a small daily detail
of these prisoners could fit up substantial shelter in a week? You can
see murder on the face of it.

On this campaign I think I had a strong staff, which is indispensable
to the' proper management of from 2000 to 3500 cavalry. Remember
that my division occupied a length of six miles along a road when in
column, and in case of the head of a column striking an enemy, two or
three hours must be consumed before the rear could be formed in line.

734 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

General Stoneman is in Knoxville. I do not know what they are
going to do with the Cavalry Division (lo regiments), of which only
one regiment has as yet been ordered to be mustered out. Stoneman
is a good commander, and managed the expedition well. He was very
kind to me throughout, and usually made a confidant of me, and
frequently acted upon my humble suggestions. I am satisfied that his
failure last summer in Georgia was due chiefly to the quality and disci-
pline of the troops he had with him. They were laden with plunder and
of course did not want to run any risk of losing it by stopping to fight.
You will be proud to learn that during our recent campaign in Georgia,
the iSth Pennsylvania Cavalry captured a train of seven wagons in the
forks of the Okonee and Appalachee loaded with $200,000 in gold, 15/2
million State money and bonds, 4^ millions Confederate money, besides
all the private baggage and official papers of General Beauregard and
Pillow, and a large number of trunks filled with plate and valuables of
citizens of Macon that had been run off to avoid General Wilson, and
that this train was brought by a Sergeant and ten men of the said
Fifteenth, a day's march, to me at Athens without a single article being
disturbed. There ! I am as proud of that as of all the fights the Regiment
was ever in. One other thing I feel proud of — I marched my brigade
across the State of South Carolina with greater order and discipline and
with less straggling and thieving than in moving out of Tennessee. If you
doubt it, go down some day among these aristocratic traitors and ask
them. (The women can beg harder for safeguards and for the return of
horses in the vicinity of Spartanburg, S. C, than anywhere I have ever
been.) I do not claim that my mode of warfare is best adapted to South
Carolina, but it is the best to ensure efficiency in a fight.

We didn't have the satisfaction of capturing Jeff, but we intercepted
and forced the surrender of the four brigades of rebel cavalry that had
started to escort him to Texas. General Wilson is very magnanimous
about it. He telegraphed last week to one of my captains at Mont-
gomery, Ala., that he owed the capture chiefly to us, that we had driven
him into his hands, and that the first and only reliable information he
received concerning Davis' position and movements was from us. This
is very decent.

In regard to our relations with our "erring Southern Sisters," I have
only time to say that I am for mercy. Kindness unlocks every heart.
It has even made Abraham Lincoln a favorite with the Southern people.
It is a very great loss to them and to the nation that he was killed.

Yours,

Wm. J. Palmer.

Headquarters near Nashville,
June 14, 1865.
My Dear Frank, —

General Thomas is to return here and will have command of the
most important department of the Union. The General is not much

Addenda. 735

of a statesman, but he is less apt to commit mistakes than Sherman.
He seems to have no ambition except to do his duty. On the whole
I think no particular brilliancy is needed in the reorganization of these
States, and that there is more danger of overdoing the business of
government down here than of anything else.

The letter I sent from Athens, Ga., for Mr. Morton, was of no
further importance after the policy of the administration in regard to
slavery had been fixed. But I wrote it at a time when I had been cut
ofif for several months from all communication with the North and when
I was without any means of judging of the feeling at the North on this
subject. Sherman's first agreement with Johnston (a copy of which I
received in North Carolina by flag of truce from General J. E. Johnston)
led me to believe that the question was going to be staved ofif, which of
course would result in a continuance of slavery. Yours,

Wm. J. Palmer.

Camp near Nashville, June 17, 1865.
My Dear Frank, —

I have yours of the gth.

I believe the eventual reputation of every officer and of every regi-
ment will depend on its reputation in the army, and among army officers.

In the glorious old Army of the Cumberland our Regiment is
acknowledged as the foremost.

Do you think that history is going to be made up from the ephemeral
letters of newspaper correspondents. Not if it will be worth reading.

It is, of course, quite delightful to be puffed up by newspaper men
and to be identified along the streets and followed by little boys and
curious men. It would be a great deal more delightful, if this sort of
reputation were not so devilish uncertain in respect of permanency.
Look at McClellan, Fremont, Butler, and all the rest of the glorious
army of martyrs.

The correspondents have undoubtedly let us alone. For this they
have my sincere thanks, as they would probably have lied outrageously
if they had decided to say anything about us. If you had been in my
place you would have been as I have been, too proud to cultivate this
sort of thing. You would not have known exactly how to go about it,
and you would finally have come to the conclusion that as far as repu-
tation was concerned, you would be willing to stand or fall by the official
reports of your superior officers, and that as nature happened to make
you a gentleman it would be best to hold on to that much anyhow, the
rest being, to say the least, uncertain.

Your newspapers, came tumbling in upon me to-day all of a heap.
I suppose the Nashville postmaster thinks they will be better appreciated
if they come by wholesale and therefore retains them until they accumu-
late sufficiently. To-morrow being Sunday I shall endeavor to make
amends for my long ignorance by reading up.

General Thomas returned this evening, and to-morrow I shall

736 History of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

probably see him in regard to my case. To tell the truth, until I see
"Old Pap" I do not know whether I want to get out of the service just
now or not. Captain Kellogg, his A.D.C., tells. me the General wants
me badly to stay.

I will remember Field if I strike him. I have applied for a Majority
for Captain McAllister, my A.A.A.G., and a Captaincy for Lieutenant
Taylor, both commissions to be sent to them to your care direct from the
Governor. Please give them to the gentlemen as they pass through
Philadelphia.

The Regiment will probably be mustered out next Thursday and start
home on Saturday. I wish you could have come out. If I remain in the
service you must do so by all means. Yours,

William.

MUSTER ROLL

Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

47 737

FIELD AND STAFF.

Wm. J. Palmer..

William Spencer.
C. B. Lamborn..
Chas. M. Betts...

A. G. Rosengarten
Frank B. Ward..

William Wagner..

A. B. Garner

J. Blackstone, Jr.

William F. Colton

C. E. Scheide

Josiah C. Reiff...
George S. Fobes.

Lt. Colonel

do

do

Major
do

do

do

Adjutant

do

do

do

O. Master

DATE OF MUSTER
INTO SERVICE.

J. W. Johnston..! do

C. S. Hinchman.s Com. Serg.

J. W. Alexander.
G. F. Mish

Eli J. Say

J. M'Glumphey.

W. Wallace Borst

Surgeon.
As. Surg.

do

Vet. Surg.

W. H. Wayne, Jr.! do

Washington Aireyj do

Edward Sellers... i do

Samuel Phillips...! do

J. F. Conaway. . . . I do

Wilfred H. KeelyJQ.M. Serg.

Albert B. Fobes.. j do

George S. Clark..! do

Nov. 30, 1861 Promoted from Capt. Anderson Troop, Sept. 7,

1862— prisoner from Sept. 18, 1862, to Jan. 15,

1863— Brev. Brig. Gen., confirmed about March

15, 1865— mustered out with Reg., June 21, 1865.

Nov. 30, 1861 Promoted from ist Lieut. Anderson Troop, Oct. 3,

1862— resigned, Feb. 6, 1863.
June 4, i86i Promoted from 1st Lieut. Co. A 30th Reg. P. V.,

Feb. 2, 1863— resigned, Feb. i, 1865.
Aug. 22, 1862 Promoted from Capt. Co. F to Maj., May ir, 1864—
to Lieut. Col., March 13, 1865— mustered out with
Reg. June 21, 1865.
Nov. 30, i86i Promoted from ist Serg. Anderson Troop, Nov.
12, 1862— killed at Stone River, Tenn., Dec. 29, '62
Nov. 30, 1861 Promoted from Capt. Co. B, Oct. 10, 1862— died
Jan. i), 1863, of wounds received at Stone River,
Tenn., Dec. 29, 1862— buried in Allegheny Ceme-
tery, Pittsburg, Pa.
Oct. 3, 1862 I Promoted from Capt. Co. B, March 13, 1865— mus-
tered out with Reg., June 21, 1865.
Oct. 3, 1862 Promoted from Capt. Co. K, March 13, 1865— mus-
tered out with Reg.. June 21, 1865.
Nov. 30, 1861 Promoted from private Anderson Troop, Oct. 10,
1862— resigned Feb. 27, 1863— re-mustered March
I, 1863— promoted to Capt. Co. E, March 14, '63.
Aug. 22, 1862 Promoted Corp., Nov. i, 1862— to Serg. Maj.,
March i, 1863— from Serg. Maj., March 14, 1863—
to Capt. Co. A, May 11, 1864.
Oct. 3, 1862 Promoted from Serg. Co. L, June 30, 1864— to

Capt. Co. K, March 13, 1865.
Aug. 22, 1862 ! Promoted from ist Lieut. Co. H, March 13, 1865—

! mustered out with Reg., June 21, 1865.
Aug. 22. 1862 j Promoted from private Co. B to Com. Sub., Nov.
7, 1862— to Q. M., March i, 1863— resigned July
29, 1864.
Aug. 22, 1862 Promoted from Corp. Co. E, Nov. 4, 1864— absent,

on detached service, at muster out.
Aug. 22, 1862 Promoted from Reg. Com. Serg., March i, 1863—

absent, on detached service, at muster out.
Oct. 20, 1862 Mustered out with Reg., June 21, 1865.
Oct. 4, 1862 Prisoner from Dec. 29, 1862, to Feb., 1863 — mus-
tered out with Reg., June 21, 1865.
April 7, 1863 Mustered out with Reg., June 21, 1865.
Oct. 3, 1862 1 Promoted from Serg. Co. D, July 22, 1864— mus-
tered out with Reg., June 21, 1865.
Promoted from ist Serg. Co. B, March 15, 1865—
commissioned 2d Lieut., Co. AL May 29, 1865,
I and ist Lieut. Co. M, May 29, 1865, and I'st
Lieut. Co. A, June 21, 1865— not mustered— mus-
' tered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Aug. 22, 1862 I Promoted from ist Serg. Co. B, March 14, 1863—

'. died at Philadelphia, Pa., April 12, 1863.
Aug. 22, 1S62 Promoted from Serg. Co. C, Nov. i, 1862— to Capt.

Co. L, March i, 1863.
Aug. 22, 1862 Promoted from Corp., 1862— Serg., Oct. 30, 1862—
ist Serg., March i. 1863— Serg. Maj., April 12,
1863— to Capt. Co. H, May 8, 1863.
Oct. 3, 1862 Promoted from ist Serg. Co. H, May 8, 1S63— to 2d

Lieut. Co. G, July 22, 1864.
Aug. 22, 1862 Promoted from "ist Serg. Co. I, Jan. 21, 1865— to

ist Lieut. Co. B, March 13, 1865.
Aug. 22, 1862 Promoted from Com. Serg. to Co. G, July 17,

j 1863— mustered out with Reg., June 21, 1865.
Aug. 22, 1862 I Promoted from private Co. B, Nov. :, 1862— trans-

( ferred to Co. A, March i, 1863.
Oct. 3, 1862 Promoted from private Co. L, March i, 1863— to
i Cant. Co. E, Mav 8. 1863.

Serg. Maj. ' Sept. 6, 1862

739

740 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER
INTO SERVICE.

Abner Evans

Com. Serg.

Aug. 22, 1862

W. M. Fields

Aug. 22, 1862

Harry Walters

Com. Serg.

Oct. 10, 1862

Wm. M. Palmer..

do

Aug. 22, 1862

George H. Kline.

Saddler

Oct. 10, 1862

William M'Gee...

do

Oct. 10, 1862

Charles P. Sellers

Hos. St.

Aug. 22, 1862

W. G. Stewart....

do

Oct. 10, 1862

J. L. Anderson...

do

Aug. 22, 1862

L. S. Strickler. . . .

Ch. Bugler

Aug. 22, 1862

Henri Le Caron..

do

Aug. 1862

Wm. M. Murdock

Oct. 3, 1862

Promoted from Com. Serg. Co. M, July 9, 1864—

mustered out with Reg., June 21, 1865.
Promoted from Corp. Co. D, March i, 1863— to

I St Lieut. Co. H, May 8, 1863.
Promoted Q. M. Serg., March i, 1863— from Q. M

Serg. Co. B, May 8, 1863— transferred to Co. B

July 16, 1863, as private
Promoted Com. Serg., March i, 1863— from Com

Serg. Co. L, May 8, 1863— transferred to Co. L,

Nov. 14, 1863, as private.
Promoted from private Co. I, Feb. 11, 1863— mus

tered out with Reg., June 21, 1865.
Promoted from saddler Co. K, March i, 1863 — dis

charged for promotion, Aug. 15, 1863.
Promoted from private Co. H, Nov. i, 1862 — mus

tered out with Reg., June 21, 1865.
Promoted from saddler Co. G, Aug. 16, 1863— mus

tered out with Reg., June 21, 1865.
Promoted from private Co. I — discharged on Sur

geon's certificate, Jan. 25, 1863.
Promoted from bugler Co. D, Nov. 1, 1864 — mus-
tered out with Reg., June 21, 1865.
Promoted from bugler Co. A, Nov. i, 1863 — to 2d

Lieut. 13th Reg. U. S. Colored Troops, Sept.

13, 1864 — to ist Lieut., March 24, 1865 — mustered

out Jan. 10, 1866.
Promoted from bugler, March i, 1863 — transferred

to Co. K, Nov. I, 1863.

COMPANY A.

Norman M. Smith Captain
W. F. Colton.... ! do

James H. Lloyd.. ! do

Wm. G. McClure. I ist Lieut.

Anthony Taylor . . do

Ebin Allison 2d Lieut.

Charles B. Magee ist Serg.
Joseph S. Wright do

Edmund B. Jones ,Q. M. Serg,
L. L. Branthoover I do...

Samuel V. Curtis \ do.

Harry H. Peck.. 1 Com. Serg

Benj. F. Balmer.

Jesse Jenkins....
S. Livengood

R. M. Hunter...

Charles H. Devitt

S. J. Maguire.

Harry G. Denn

A\"illiam De Bree

D. M. Milligan..

Samuel C. Black

T. J. Whipkey...

Arthur P. Lyon.

Albert B. Fobes.
J. L. Hammell..
S. J. Fahnestock
A. Hamilton

Sergeant
....do....

....do....

....do....

....do....

....do....

....do....

....do....

....do....

....do....

Mar. I, 1863

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Nov. 30, 1861

Aug. 22, ie62

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Aug. 30, 1S62

Oct. 3, i8ri2

Oct. 10, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct.
July

April

Feb.

May

Aug.

Oct.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Oct.

1862

1864
1862

1862
1862

..do Aug. 22, 1862

Corporal ] Sept. 6, 1862

....do j April 6. 1S64

do.... ! Jan. s, 1864

REMARKS.

1864 — discharged,
, 1865 — mustered

Discharged, May 8, 1863.
Promoted from Adjt., May

June 21, 1865.
Transferred from Co. C, Jur

oiit with Co., July 18, 1865.
Promoted from Serg. Anderson Troop, March i,

1863— discharged. May 8, 1863.
Promoted from private to Serg., Oct. 20, 1S62— to

ist Serg., March i, 1863— to ist Lieut., May 8,

1863— commissioned Capt. Co. G, June i, 1865—

not mustered — discharged, June 21, 1865 — medal

of honor.
Promoted from private to Serg., Oct. 30, 1862 — to

ist Serg., Mav 8, 1863— to 2d Lieut., May 28,

1865 — discharged, June 21, 1865.
Promoted from Serg., July i, 1865— mustered out

with Co., July 18, 1865.
Promoted from private to Q. M. Serg., Sept. i,

1863— to ist Serg., June i, 186=;— discharged, June

21, 1865.

Promoted from private, July i, 1865 — mustered out

with Co., July 18, 1865.
Promoted from private to Com. Serg., March i,

1863— to O. M. Serg., June i, 1865— discharged,

June 21, 1865.
Promoted from private, March i, 1863 — to Com.

Sub., iSist Reg. P. v., Aug. i, 1863.
Promoted from private, July i, 1865 — mustered out

with Co., July 18, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., June 5, 1863— to Serg., Nov.

10, 1864— to Com. Serg., June i, 1865— discharged,

June 21, 1865, Prisoner of War.
Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.
Promoted from private, July i, 1865 — mustered out

with Co.. July 18, 1865.
Promoted from private, July i, 1865 — mustered out

with Co.. July 18, 1865.
Promoted from private, July i,

with Co., July 18, 1865.
Promoted from private, July i,

with Co., July 18, 1865.
Promoted from private, March

June 21, 1S65.
Promoted to Corp., Oct. 30, 1862— to Serg., May

14, 1863 — discharged June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., June 24, 1864 — to Serg., Nov.

10, 1864 — wounded and captured, April 15, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863 — to Serg., March

16, 1865 — discharged, June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Aug. 7, 1864 — to Serg., June i,

1865 — discharged, June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., April 4, 1863 — to Serg., Jan.

22, 1S61 — commissioned 2d Lieut., Dec. 28, 1864 —
not mustered — killed near \A'arrington, Ala.. Jan.

15, 1865, by his prisoner. General Lyon, C. S. A.
Promoted to Serg., March i, 1863 — discharged on

Surgeon's certificate.
Promoted to Corp., July i, 1865 — mustered out with

Co., July 18, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., July i, 1865— mustered out

with Co., July 18, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., July i, 1865— mustered out

with Co.. July 18. 1865.

741

1865— mustered out
1865 — mustered out
I, 1863 — discharged.

742 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER
INTO SERVICE.

REMARKS.

Henry Oldfield...

Corporal

! Jan. s, 1864

Promoted to Corp., July i, 1865— mustered out
with Co., July 18, 1865.

VV. H. Tomlinson

do....

May 27, 1864

1 Promoted to Corp., July i, 1865— mustered out
j with Co., July 18, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., July i, 1865— mustered out
with Co., July 18, 1863— veteran.

J. C. Maxseimer.

do....

Jan. 28, 1864

Josiah Warg

do....

Oct. 25, 1862

Promoted to Corp., July i, 1865— mustered out

with Co., July 18, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., July i, 1865— mustered out

with Co., July 18, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— discharged.

J. B. Mooney

do....

Mar. 19, 1864

Hiram P. Eves...

do....

Aug. 22, 1862

June 21, 1865.

H. D. Overholdt.

Aug. 22, 1862

Promoted to Corp., Aug. 7, 1864— discharged, June

21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, 1864— mustered out,

June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, 1864— discharged, June

Andrew J. Megee

do

Oct. 10, 1862

Conrad Miller....

do

Aug. 22, 1862

21, 1865.

S. N. Knight....

do

Aug. 22, 186."

Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865— discharged,

June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865— discharged,

June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865— discharged.

Jacob A. Swartz..

do

Aug. 22, 1862

James M. Fooster

do

Aug. 22, 1862

June 21, 1865.

Valentine Dick...

do

Oct. 10, 1862

Promoted to Corp., June i, 1865— mustered out
with Co., June 21, 1865.

Abbot Yarrington

Bugler

April 30, 1863

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Henri LeCaron...

Bugler

Aug. 1862

Promoted to chief bugler, Nov. 6, 1863— discharged,
Sept. 12, 1864, to accept promotion.

William Swartz...

Farrier

Oct. 10, 1862

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

John W. Sausser.

Saddler

Aug. 22, 1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 10, 1863.

Allen, Albert D...

Private

April 13, 1864

Discharged by General Order, June 21, 1865.

Allt, George

do

May 13, 1864

Mustered out with Co., July 18, J865.

Allen, Joseph

do

May 14, 1864

Never reported.

Adams, John

do

Aug. 9, 1864

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Baily, Samuel....

do

Mar. 18, 1864

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Barnes, James

do

April 30, 1864

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Barnett, Allen J..

do

Mar. 31, 1864

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Barr, Charles J..

do

Mar. 10, 1864

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Beachell, H. R...

do

May 23, 1864

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Beall, Wm. L

do

Dec. 14, 1863

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865— veteran,
9 months, Co. F, 137th P. V.

Bishop, John C...

do

Oct. 5, 1864

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Brown, William..

do

Oct. 25, 1864

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Burns, Andrew S.

do

Aug. 15, 1864

Never joined Co.

Brady, William...

do

May 12, 1864

Never joined Co.

Boyle, Hugh

do:....

April 5, 1864

Never joined Co.

From Sept. 20, 1862, absent sick at muster out.

Burns, Frank

do

Aug. 22, 1862

Bardsley, William

do

Aug. 22, 1862

Discharged, June 21, i86s.
Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Brough, C. M....

do

Aug. 22, 1862

Brough, H. H....

do

Sept. 6, 1862

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Brooks, H. E

do

Aug. 22, if'62

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Bratton, W. L....

do

Aug. 22, 1862

Discharged, June 21, 186=;.

Boggs, John C...

do

Aug. 22, 1862

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Barbour, Peter...

do

Sept. 27, 1864

Discharged, June 21, 1865.
Discharged., June 21, 1865.

Boehmen, J. H...

do

Sept. 2, 1864

Bradt, Levi C...

do

Sept. 24, 1864

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Beisel, Reuben...

do

Oct. 10, 1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 16, 1863.

BIyler, George W.

do

Aug. 22, 1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 5, 1863.

Bowles, Flavius J.

do

Aug. 22, i86r

Promoted to hospital steward, U. S. Army, April

2, 1864.
Died of gangrene at Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 13, 1864.

Booz, Thomas S.

do

Aug. 22, 1862

Black, Wm. D...

do

Jan. s, 1864

Discharged by General Order, June 28, 1865.

BurnSj Thomas...

do

Nov. 12, 1864

Not on muster-out roll.

Baker, Owen

do

iNoV. 17, 1864

Not on muster-out roll.

Braslan, Henry...

do

Oct. 14, 1864

Not on muster-out roll.

Bennett, William.

do

May 19. 1864

Not on muster-out roll.

Caldwell, Wm

do

April II, 1864

Discharged, Aug. s. to date, July 18, 1865.

Castieman, Lewis

do

May II, 1864

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Collahan, T. D...

do

April 18, 1864

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Cover, Michael...

do....

June 4, 1864

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 743

Graig, Frank

Crumpton, R. D.
Culver, John E. ..

Clark, Charles

Chew, Henry

Crouse, Enos

Crouse, David

Cleaves, John

Conanton, Thos.. .
Donohoe, John...

Donner, VVm

Duffield, G. E....
Durmeyer, Chas. .
Dvirst, William J.

Dixson, John

Durand, George..
Dunn, James L. ..
Dempsey, James..
Dw-i.er, Thomas...

Duffey, John

Donovan, Owen..
Fish, Ephraim...
Fisher, George...

Follon, Henry

Fry, Israel

Farrell, William..
Fitzwater, Jacob..
Franklin, Geo. P.
Frassoni, Peter...
Fricke, George...
Farr, Georpe H...

Farmer, John

Gadbury, William
Gallagher, Alfred..
Gibson, Levis M.
Giffin, Samuel C.
Goodenough, D...

Gray, James

Guyer, John F. . .
Griffith, William..
Gully, Nadell D..
Griffith. William..

Ginn, Thomas

Grainger, Fred

Granger, John C.
Glosser, W'illiam.
Grosser, Joseph...

Hall, Robert

Hall, George

Harris, \\'illiam..

Hastv, Elijah

Hatch, Chas. H...
Heck, George....
Heiter, Joseph J. .
Henderson. Geo..
Hopkins, David..
FTommell, Ferd...
Hughes, Barnett.

Hudson, John

Hustan, Robert...
Hardy, Thomas...

Henry, Walter

Hudson, Edward.
Halberstadt, S. S.
Hallow.ell, W. R..
Harkinson, David
Hubbell, Johnston
Hartman, D. H..

Hock, James

Hartman, T. T..

Private

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do..

...do...

...do..

...do...

...do...

...do.

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...dd...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...
...do...

Nov. 3,
July II,
Mar. 22,
May 12,
May 14,
Oct. 3,
Sept. 20,
May 29,
May 20,
Mar. 31,
July 8,
Feb. 22,
Mar. 23,
May 9,

May 13,
Aug. 22,
Aug. 5,
Sept. 26,
Nov. 10,
May 17,
Oct. 4,
Apr. 20,
Mar. 31,
April 4,
May 12,
Aug. 22,
Oct. 3,
Sept. 17,
Aug. 22,
Aug. 22,
May I,
Nov. I,
May 10,
Feb. 2^,
Tan. 27,
Oct. 18,

Apr.

2,

186.^

May

2.S,

1864

Aug.

22,

1862

Oct.

10,

TS62

Nov.

22,

T864

Nov.

22,

1864

Aug.

23,

iq64

Sept.

8,

1864

Ian.

TK6,i

July

8.

1864

Oct.

7-

1864

Aug.

0,

1864

Apr.

if-'6i

Ian.

2H,

1K64

Mar.

21,

i86.t

Ian.

20,

1864

June

8,

1864

Feb.

2S,

1864

Mar.

2q,

1864

Tune
"Feb.

3,

1864

2.?,

1864

May

1864

864

May 4,
Sept. 2,
Aug. 22,
Aug. 22,
Oct. 10,
Aug. 30,

Nov. 22,
Sept. 2, 1864

863

Mustered out with Co., July i8, 1865.

Discharged by General Order, June 24, 1S65.

Absent at recruiting rendezvous since enlistment.

Never joined Co. — assigned to Co., March 15, 1865.

Never joined Co.— assigned to Co., March 15, 1865.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Not on muster-out roll.

Not on muster-out roll.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Absent at muster out.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Never joined Co. — assigned to Co., March 15, 1865.

Never joined Co. — assigned to Co., March 15, 1865.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Not on muster-out roll.

Not on muster-out roll.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Never joined Co.

Absent at muster out.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Assigned to Co., March 15, 1865. Never joined Co

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Discharged, Tune 21, 1865.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 26, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, May 29, 1863.

Not on muster-out roll.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Never joined Co.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with "

Mustered out with

Mustered out

Absent at muster out.

Absent sick from June 24, 1863. Never joined Co.

Never joined Co.

Drowned in Battle Creek, Tenn., March 4, 1865.

Not on muster-out roll.

Not on muster-out roll.

Not on muster-out roll.

Not on muster-out roll.

Mustered out with Co.,

Absent at muster out.

Mustered out with Co., .

Mustered out with Co., July 18,

Mustered out with Co., July 18,

Mustered out with Co., July .

Mustered out with Co., July 18,

Absent at muster out.

Mustered out with Co..

Discharged by General

Mustered out with Co.,

Mustered out with Co.,

Mustered out with Co.,

Assigned to Co., March

Never joined Co.

Never joined Co.

Discharged, June 21, 1S65.

Discharged on Surgeon's certiiicate. May 4, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 6, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 28, 1863.

Died, June 5, 1864 — buried in National Cemetery,

New Albany, Ind., Section B, grave 681.
Not on muster-out roll.
Not on muster-out roll.

itn CO., luiy iH,

ith Co., July 18,

ith Co., July 18,

ith Co., July 18,

18, 1865.

18,

Jul;

July 18.

July
Order

■ 865.
1865.
1865.
1865.
[865.

1865.

, 1865.
Aug.
Tuly 18, 1865.
"Tuly 18, 1865.
July 18, 1865.

1865. Never joined Co.

744 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Jackson, A. W.
Johnson, W. M.

Johnson, V

Johnston, E. W.
Kelly, Frank...
Kennedy, W. S.

Kennedy, Daniel.
Kinney, George..!
Kidney, George. . j

King, William

Kinsey, Chas. F..

Kinsey, E. W

Kingsley, J. T |

Kear, Richard C

Kane, James

Keenan, James...

Lawton, John

Leadly, John

Lofft, Christian L.
Lonabaugh, J. E.
Lynch, William...
Langin, Thomas..
Lane, Nelson L. .

Lansing, John

Magee, Charles...
Malioney, John...
Marcus, William.

Maroney, M

Mayberry, W. W.
Merin, William...
Miller, David M..
Milford, Benj. F..

More, Nathan

Moore, Henry

Mortimer, Henry.

Mull, August

Mull, Jefferson O.
Mullen, Edward..

Mullen, James

Muta, Edward

Moore, Thomas..
Murray, James A.

Morgan, H. W

Morris, Robert C.

Martin, Oliver

Marshall, John G.

Murrill, James H.
Marion, \Vm. J.. .
Mason, Thos. T..

Martin, Demaza..
Maitland, Francis
M'Fall, Nicholas.
M'Cann, John....
M'Clelland, J. D.

M'Gee, Henry

M'GiblDon, James.
M'Tntyre, Edward
M'Mahan, S. H..-
M'Mullen, Robert

M'Manus, Thos.
M'Clain, William
M'lver, James...
M'Farren, S. J..
M'Cord, James E
M'Fadden, James

Private
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....

. ..dio

...do...,

.do...
.do...

Sept. 7,

Aug. 22,
Aug. 22,

Nov. 12,
Oct. 22,

Jan. 5,

May 14,

Dec. 24,

Mar. 26,

May 27,

May 20,

Apr. 28,
Dec. 8,

Sept. 14,

Aug. 16,
Aug. 22,
Aug. 22,
Nov. 14,

864

Oct. 5,

May 9,

Aug. 8,

Aug. 22,

July II,

May 24,

Oct. 4,

Oct. 17,

Oct. 5.

Mar. 15,

Mar. 18,

Mar. 18,

Oct. 31,

Oct. 3,

Nov. 22,

May 17,

Feb. 25,

Mar. 21,

Mar. 4, louH.

Dec. 12, 1863

Apr. 27,

Sept. 5.

Sept. 25,

May 17,

Apr. 30,

Apr. 13,

Mar. 21,

Mar. II,

Feb. 3,

Oct. 17,

Dec. I,

Mar. 30,

Mar. 23,

Mar. 15,

Apr. 14,

Apr. 6,

Feb. 26,

May 17,

Apr. 29,

Feb. 22,

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22,

Oct. 3,

Oct. 10,

Discharged by General Orders, June 17, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Transferred to 69th Reg. P. V. July 3, 1865.

Deserted, Jan. 18, 1864.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Captured at Lynchburg, Va., April 6, 1865 — dis-
charged by General Orders, Aug. 3, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.
( Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.
[ Discharged by General Orders, June 26, 1865.

Died at Philadelphia, Pa., March 25, 1864.
I Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.
j Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Never joined Co.
' Discharged by Special Order, Aug. 6, 1S64.
j Not on muster-out roll.
I Not on muster-out roll.
I Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.
1 Absent, sick, at muster out.
I Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1864.
' Absent on furlough at muster out.

Never joined Co.
i Never joined Co.
; Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Not on muster-out roll.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Deserted — returned — absent at muster out.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.
I Discharged by General Orders, June 19, 1865.
, Absent from May i, 1864 — sick at muster out.

Discharged by General Orders, July 18, 1865.

Absent at muster out.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865 — veteran.
! Absent at muster out.
j Never joined Co.

j Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.
] Discharged, June 21, 1865.
I Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Captured by enemy near Liberty, Va., April 6, 1865.
Paroled — discharged, June 15, to date. May 18, '05

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Captured at i3ig Lick^ Va., April 6, 1865 — paroled —
discharged, June 21, 1865.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 26, 1863.

Died near Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 26, 1863, of
typhoid fever.

Not on muster out roll.

Not on muster-out roll.

^Mustered out with Co., July i8, 1865.

Never joined Co.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July i&^ 1865 — veteran.

Absent at muster out.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Deserted — returned — mustered out with Co., July
18, 1865.

Absent at muster out.

Never joined Co.

Absent, without leave, at muster out.

Transferred to Signal Corps, Oct. 22, 1863.

Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, April i, 1865.

Not on muster-out roll.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

745

M'Giil, Martin....
Nagley, Wilhelm. j

Neyj John i

Noffsinger, F. J.. ;
Null, Joseph K... 1

Nolan, Joseph }

Null, John M

Newcomer, C. H.
Orr, Robert L....
Piper. Henry A..
Painter, \\'illiani. i
Painter, John W..
Painter, Geo. W. . \
Patterson, Walter !
Petersohn, Chas.. ■
Ouinn, James. ...
Raymond, D. L. I
Reiseman, John. . |
Ringwood, Peter. I

Rudv. David ;

Reed, John E |

Reed, Howard

Robinson, Wm

Randall, Joseph .
Richards, Job W.
Ryan, John T.. . .

Riley, John :

Rice, John i

Sanford, J. W I

Scanlan, P., ist. . . '
ScarborouQfh, \V..
Scanlan, P., 2d. . .
Sellman, Samuel. ;
Sherwood, Marion
Shinn, Benj. F

Smerle, William..

Smith, John

Smith, William...
Smith, Michael...
Smith, XMlliam C.
Stelnmeyer, S. C.
Shannon, John. . . 1

Smith, John

Schnatz, Joseph..
Shufif, Charles W.
Shaner, Finley M.

Smith, James

Sweeney, John...

Smith, George

Shannon, James..
Schmidt, Charles.

Schulze, Fred

Townsend, Geo...
Travice, William.
Turner, Samuel...
Thomas, Lafayette
N'antague, James.
\'anderwalker, G. .
^^■atson, Edwin..

Weaver, John

Wendler, Bernard j
Westlake, John S. ,

Wile, John H

Williams, A

White, R. G

Wise, Alfred

Private

...do...
...do...

..do...
..do...
..do...
..do...
..do...
..do...
..do...
..do...
..do...
..do...
..do...

DATE OF MUSTER

INTO SERVICE.

Oct. 3,

1864

May p,

1864

Oct. 17,

1S64

Oct. ic,

1862

Oct. 4,

1864

May II,

1864

Sept. 24,

1864

Sept. 24.

1864

Aug. 22,

I8f2 1

May 29,

1864 i

Aug. S,

1864 i

Aug. 8,

1864

Nov. IS,

1864 ,

Oct. 2%

1864

May 17,

1864 !

Oct. 5,

1864 1

Mar. 30,

It'64 i

July 23,

1864 '

Oct. 21,

1864

Aug. 22,

1862

Aug. 31,

1864

Sept. 2,

1864

Sept. 27,

1864

Oct. 3,

1862

Oct. 2I

1864

Apr. 2p,

1864

Sept. 13,

1864

Oct. 10,

1862

May 31,

1864 i

Aiar. 23,

1S64

May 31,

1864

June lu.

1864

Mar. 31,

1864

April I,

1S64

Oct. 17,

TS64

Oct. 17,

1864

lune ly.

186 1

.Tune 3.

1864

Mar. ig.

1864 1

nee. 21.

1863

Sept. ,,

1864

Sept. I,

1864

Sept. I,

1864

Aug. 22.

1862

Dec. 26,

i?63

Nov. 12,

1864

Nov. 17,

1864

Sept. 20.

1^64

Sept. 8,

1864

Oct. 28,

1864

Oct. s,

1864

May 14,

1S64

Sept. I,

1864 !

Sept. I,

1864

Oct. 31.

1864 j

May 13,

1864 1

Apr. I,

1864

Tan. 26,

1864

Mav 14,

1864

Tune 2j,

1864

Dec. 26,

1S63

June 20,

1864

Feb. 3.

1864

Aug. 30,

1862

REMARKS.

Not on muster-out roll.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July i§, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18. 1865.

Assigned to Co., March 15, 1865. Nevevr joiied Co.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Discharged by General Orders, June 27, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Never joined Co.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Not on muster-out roll.

Not on muster-out roll.
Not on muster-out roll.
Mustered out with Co.,
^[ustered out with Co.,
Absent at muster out.
Mustered out with Co.,

July 18, iSEs-
July 18, 1865.

July 18, 1865.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Discharged for promotion, Feb. 5, 1864.

Not on muster-out roll.

Not on muster-out roll.

Not on muster-out roll.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Absent at muster out.

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

Absent, on furlough, at muster out.

Transferred to \'eteran Reserve Corps — discharged

by General Orders, Aug. 7, 1865.
^!ustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.
Absent at muster out.
Absent at muster out.
Mustered out with Co.. July 18, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.
Never joined Co.

Deserted — returned — absent at muster out.
Discharged, June 21, 1865.
Discharged, June 21, 1865.
Died at Nashville, Tenn., July i, 1863, of typhoid

fever — buried in National Cemetery, section E,

grave 689.
Deserted, Aug. 18, i86j.
Not on muster-out roll.
Not on muster-out roll.
Not on muster-out roll.
Not on muster-out roll.
Not on muster-out roll.

Ttiscbprped bv General Orders, July 26, 1865.
Absent, in arrest, at muster out.
Never joined Co.
Discharged. June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.
Not on muster-out roll.
.\bsent, on furlough, at muster out — discharged,

July 18, 1865, by order Western Department, Dec.

21, 1896.
.\bsent, sick, at muster out.
Discharged by General Orders, June 26, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.
Discharged by General Orders, Aug. 8, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.
Discharged by General Orders, June 23, 1865.
Discharged, June 21, 1865.

746 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

DATE OF MUSTER

NAME.

RANK.

Private

INTO SERVICE.

Sept. 24, 186 1

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Wodkins, Geo. W.

ao

Oct. 14, 1S64

Not on muster-out roll.

Yournson, Wm...

do

Feb. 22, 1864

Mustered out with Co., July 18, 1865.

do

Never joined Co.

Youst, John L....'

do

Dec. 26, 1863

Captured by enemy and escaped, April
discharged by General Orders, June 15
date. May 23, 1865.

7, 1865-
, 1865, to

Young, Wm. S...

do.. ..

Aug. 22, 1864

Discharged, June 21, 1865.

Zuecher, Leopold

do

Oct. 28, 1864

Not on muster-out roll.

COMPANY B.

Frank B. Ward... j Captain
James A. Lashell do

William AA'agner. 1 do

G. W. Hildebrandi do

Adam Kramer ist Lieut.

John F. Conway., j do

Allison M'Dowell ! 2d Lieut.
Henry H. Vance. , ist Serg.

Comley J. Mather do

W. Wallace Borst ; do....

W. H. Wayne, Jr. do

S. F. Hamilton.. ;Q.M. Serg.

C. H. Bradford..

J. A. Laughridge
Alfred W. Hood

David Barnhart.
J. P. Fullerton..
John W. Echman |.

Sergeant
....do

....do

....do

Nov. 30, 1861
Nov. 30, 1861

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 6, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Nov. 31, 1861
Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 6, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

Com. Serg. 1 Aug. 22, 1S62

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

REMARKS.

Promoted from ist Serg. Anderson Troop, Sept.

24, 1862— to Maj., Oct. 10, 1862.
j Promoted from Serg. Anderson Troop, Oct. 30,

1862 — resigned, Feb. 27, 1863 — r6-commissioned

Capt. Co. M, March i, 1863.
Promoted to Serg., Oct. 30, 1862 — captured at Stone

River, Tenn., Dec. 29, 1862 — to Capt., March 1,

1863— -to Maj., March 13, 1865.
Promoted from private to ist Serg., March 15,

1863— to ist Lieut., May 8, 1863— to Capt., March

13, 1865 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
1 Promoted from Serg. Co. I, March i, 1863 — to

Capt. Co. M, May 8. 1863.
Promoted from Serg. Maj., March 13, 1865 — mus-
tered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted from Corp., Anderson Troop, Oct. 3,

1862 — resigned, Feb. 27, 1863.
Promoted to Corp., May 14, 1863— to Com. Serg.,

June 4, 1S63— to Q. M. Serg., Nov. 10, 1864— to

ist Serg.. March 16, 1865 — commissioned 2d

Lieut., May 29, 1865— not mustered— mustered

out with Co., June 21, 1863.
I Promoted to Serg., Oct. 30, 1862— to ist Serg.,

Nov. I, 1862— to ist Lieut. Co. F, March i, 1863—

discharged, Feb. 28, 1863, to accept appointment.
Promoted from private to Com. Serg., March i,

1863— to Q. M. Serg., June 4, 1863— to ist Serg.,

Nov. II, 1864— to Serg. Maj., March 15, 1865.
I'romoted from private to ist Serg., March i, 1863

— to Serg. Maj., March 15, 1863.
Promoted from private to Serg., March i, 1863 —

to Com. Serg., Nov. 10, 1864— to Q. M. Serg.,

March 16, 1865 — mustered out with Co., June 21,
! 1865.
' Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— to Serg., Nov.

10, 1864, to Com. Serg., March i5, 1865 — mustered
i out with Co., Tune 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— to Serg., May

12, 1863— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Aug. 16, 1864— to Serg., Nov.

10, 1864— discharged by General Orders, June

24, 1865.
Promoted to Sergeant, March 16, 1865— mustered

out with Co., June 21, 1865.
i Promoted to Corp., June 4, 1863— to Serg., March
I 16, 1865— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to 'Corp., Aug. 16, 1864— to Serg., March

16, 1865— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 747

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER

INTO

SERVICE.

Harry C. Blake...

Sergeant

Aug.

22,

1862

Ed. Thocmorton.

do

Aug.

22,

1862

I. H. Strattou....

do....

Aug.

22,

1862

Thos. A. Jones...

Corporal

Oct.

3,

1862

\Vm. A. Hartley..

do

Aug.

^2,

1862

S. R. Fairchilds..

do

Aug.

22,

1862

William J. Currin

do

Aug.

30,

1862

Samuel A. Abbey

do

Oct.

10,

1862

James Swisher

do

Aug.

22,

1S62

David Clark

do

Aug.

22,

1862

G. H. Hanson....

do

Oct.

3,

1862

Harry C. Fry....

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Eli Hewett

do

Oct.

3,

1862

Henry Helling....

Bugler

■ Aug.

22,

1862

Byron O. Camp..

do

Aug.

22,

1862

John H. Quinn..

Aug.

2'>

jgg.

James Caldwell..

Farrier

Sept.

29-

1864

Lewis S. Myers..

do

.Sept.

2S,

1864

Allison, John M.

Private

Sept.

28,

1864

Ayers, George

do

Aug.

8,

186 1

Ashmead, I., Jr...

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Allen, George" 0..

do

Aug.

30,

1862

Baldwin, W. U...

do

Oct.

10,

1862

Bowers, Henry C.

do

Aug.

19,

1864

Brown, J. M

do

Aug.

10,

1864

Burkev, Fder'k J.

do

Aug.

23.

1864

Burkliart, J. G...

do

Sept.

5,

1864

Bacon, Amos W.

do

Aug.

1862

Barringer, J. P...

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Bell, Joseph

do

Aug.

30,

1862

Buzby, Robert E

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Babb, Thomas C.

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Baylis, John, Tr. ..
Butcher, H. C....

do

Aug.

22,

1862

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Barr, Charles A..

do

Mar.

10,

1864 I

Boyle, Hugh

do

Apr.

3.

1864 1

Benner, Baltzer S.

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Bontemps, Joseph

do

Aug.

22,

1862 1

Birnbaun, R. J...

do

Oct.

9,

1862

Burns, Frank

do

Aug.

22,

1862 1

Bowyer, Chas. P.

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Briggs, Nath'l B.

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Burton, John

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Booz, Thomas S.

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Boutcher. G.M.D.

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Burns, Thomas...

do

Nov.

12,

1864

Brown, Wm

do

Oct.

25.

1864

Cook, Abraham..

do

Aug.

29,

1864

Cox, Roland

do

Oct.

3.

1862

Cress, Henry

do

Aug.

1862

Cress, Charles....

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Clark, Adrian S..

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Creth, John E....

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Craig, Arthur H..

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Cooper, John S. ..

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Cooney, Terrence

do

Oct.

20,

1864

0, 1864— wounded nea
1865— discharged, July

-mustered ou

-mustered ou

1865 — prisoner from

Colored
s Capt.,

1865.

Dec. 6, 1862.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 2, 1S63
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 27, 1863
Promoted from private, March 1, 1863 — died a

Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 16, 1863.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. lo, 1864 — mustered ou

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, 1864— mustered oui

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, 1864 — mustered ou

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov.

London, Va., April 8

31, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16,

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16,

with Co., June 21, 1863.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, „ .

April 14 to 30, 1865— discharged, June 15, to date

Mav 18, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865— mustered

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged by Special Order, May 6, 1864.
Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— transferred to

Signal Corps, March ig, 1864.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Lieut, isth Reg. U. S

Troops, Nov. 27, 1863— mustered out

April 7, 1866.
Deserted, Oct. 27, 1862.
Mustered out with Co., June
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1005
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 186;
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate,
Transferred to Co. L— date unknown
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865
Mustered out with Co.. June 21, 1865
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, July 11, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, July 22, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 10, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 2, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 2, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 16, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 25, 1863.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Died at Nashville. Tenn., June 27, 1863— buried in

National Cemetery.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Not on muster-out r"Jl — '^aptured Seot. 27, 1863.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.
Not on the muster-out roll.
Transferred to Co. D.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged for promotion, Oct. 9, 1863.
Transferred to Co. V> — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Not on muster-out roll.

748 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Davis, Edward..
Des Granges, C. C
Dager, Robert E
Dalv, Stephen...
DeWard, Charles
Davis, John M..
Davis, Isaac C
Donnelly, Peter J
Diller, Wm. R..
Earnest, Geo. W

Eckert, Geo. W.,
Earp, Charles G.

Edge, Robert

Evans, Horace

Ellis, Wm. P

Fry, Geo. W

Fobes, Geo. S

Fobes, Albert B.
French, George J
Farr, Edw. H...
Fleming, John C
Fricke, George..
Geddes, Robert C
Gray, Ezekiel...

Green, John

Geary, Harry M.
Galloney, Chas. A
Gilmoiir, John M
Garrett, Robert M
Hall, John W...
Hanna, James R
Hannaum,R.E.,Jr
Hawk, Wm. M...
Herbert, Bowman
Herriott. Jos. P.,

Hursh, Jos. M

Harlan, John M.
Headley, W. H. H

Henry, Aubry

Hildeburn, Sam'l
Hincnman, C. S.,

Huev, John A

Hasty, Elijah

Hunter, R. M

Horn, Abraham.,

Hayden, Chas. L
Hallowell, W. R.,
Hammill, Jas. L. ,
Hall, Lorenzo...
Hirst, Henry D.,
Headley, Geo. E. ,
Johnson, Wm. H
Johnson, Harry C

Kellar, David

Kelly, Lewis....
Kimber, Caleb B,
Keyser, Benj. F. ,

Kennedy, Daniel,

Kneass, L

Keyser, Chas. M
Kneass, Samuel..
Larson, Jacob M

Lefler, John

Lusk, John B...,
Little, 'Joseph D

Lecorn, Henri

Lane, Jackson J.,

Private
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...

...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...

REMARKS.

Aug.

Aug.
Aug. 22,
Oct. 1
Aug. 2
Aug. 22,
Aug.
Aug. 22,
Aug.
Aug.

Sept.
Aug. 22,

Aug. 22,
Aug. 22
Aug. 26,
Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Aug. 22,
Sept. 6,
Aug. II
Aug. 15
Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Sept. &
Aug. 22
Sept. 6,
Aug. 12
Aug. 22,
Aug. 8

Aug. 22;

Aug. 22

Aug. 17:

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22,

Aug. 30

Aug. 9

Apr. 13,

Oct. 3

1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862

1862
1862

1862
1862
1864
1862

1862
1862
1864
1864
1862
1862
1862

1862
1864
1862
1862
1864

1862
1864
1864
1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 12, 1864

Aug. 8, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 4, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 16, 1864

Aug. 15, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 3, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

1862.

1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Absent, on detached service, at muster out.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate,, April 21, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 10, 1&63.
Discharged for promotion, Dec. 23, 1862.
Transferred to Signal Corps, Oct. 22, 1863.
Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Promoted to ist Lieut. 13th Reg. LT. S. Colored

Troops, Aug. 17, 1863 — discharged, Dec. 10, 1864.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 14, 1863.
Discharged for promotion, Dec. 5, 1862.
Killed at Stone River Tenn., Dec. 31, 1862.
Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Com. Sub., Oct. i, 1862.
Promoted to Reg. (). M. Serg., Nov. i.
Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged by General Orders, June 24,
Mustered out wit^l Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged by General Orders, May 17, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Eels. 26, 1863.
Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 12, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 9, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March s, 1863.
Discharged, Dec. 23, 1862, to accept commission.
Promoted to Reg. Com. Serg., Nov. i, 1862.
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Jan. 22, 1864.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Captured, Dec. 31, 1862. at Stone River— paroled

prisoner — absent at muster out — never reported

for duty.
Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 11, 1S63.
Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Discharged by General Orders, June 24, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out, June 15, 1865.
Promoted to ist Lieut. 6th Reg. U. S. Colored

Troops, Dec. 22, 1864 — mustered out, Feb. 28, 1866.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Never joined Co.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
Transferred to 15th U. S. Colored Infantry.
Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 749

Lennig, Nicholas.
Logan, Stuart....

Mackey, Scott

Messenger, James

Meyers, T. H

Musgrove, W. H.
Metzgar, L. R. ..
Maiers, Thos. H..
Metzgar, D. H...
Mortimer, Henry.
Mehl, Edwin M..
Moore, Thomas C.
Masan, Thos. T..

Murray, las

M'Clure, Wm

M'Mannis, Henry
M'Williams, Rich.

Pettygrew, L

Pierie, Chas

Paul, Mickle C...
Peck, Harry H...
Patterson, T.B.,Jr.
Pharo, Horatio W.
Palmer, Wm. M..
Richie, Clement..
Rinehart, Bennett

Reed, John E

Ramsey, Theo. F.
Reiff, Tosiah C...

Rule, \Vm

Roberts, H. E....
Rothermel, J. A..

Rile, Wm. K

Serrill, Thomas...
StaufFer, Theo. H.
Steward, Thos. H.

Stokes, J. O

Spang, Edwin H..

Sprout, T. R

Stewart, J. Harry.

Smith, Wm. J

Smith, John

Scheerer, Paul A.

Private

...do....

...do....

...do....

...do....

...do....

...do....

...do....

...do....

...do....

...do....

...do....

...do....

...do....
....do....

...do....

...do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....

Sinclair, John C
Stewart, Chas. H.
Selgrade, Lewis..
Staker, Wm. F...
Shalcrosse, I. E..
Tantiinger, H. A.

Thorne, Harry

Thompson, Wm..
Taylor, Chas. E..
Tack, Francis....
Tweedale, John...
Upham, W. A....

Wassell, Wm

Weaver, John R. .

Watkins, Benj

Walters, Harry...
\\'attson, E. F., Jr.
Williams, H. C.
Warren, Thos. C.

Walsh, Wm

Wildes, John E...

....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...

Aug. 22
Oct. 9.
Aug. 15
Oct. 10
Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Apr. 14,
Aug. 22,
Aug. 22,
Aug. 22,
Oct. 20^
Aug. 22,
Aug. 9.
Aug. 9i
Aug. 8,
Oct. 3,
Aug. 22,
Oct. 10
Aug. 22
Aug. 22,
Aug. 22,
Aug. 30
Oct. 3
Aug. 22
Aug. 22,
Aug
Aug. 22,
Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Oct. 10
Aug. 30,
Aug. 12
Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Aug. 30,
Aug. 22,
Aug. 22,

Aug. 2:

Aug. 22,
Aug. 22,
Aug. 22,
Aug. 22,
Aug. 22,
Aug. 9
Oct. 3

Aug. 22;
Aug. 22
Aug. 22

Aug. 22;

Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Aug. 22

Oct. 31

Oct. 10

Aug. 30,

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22,

1862
l8f2

IS64
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
IS64
1862

l8f2

1862
1864
1862
1864
1864
1864
1862
1862
1862

1862
1862
1862
1862
1862

1862
1862
1862
1864
1S62
1862
1862
1862
1862

1862
1862
1862

1862
1864

1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1863
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862

REMARKS.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. May, 1865.

Transferred to Signal Corps, Oct. 22, 1863.

Not on muster-out roll.

Not on inuster-out roll.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.

Not on muster-out roll.

Absent, on furlough, at muster out.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Signal Corps, Oct. 22, 1863.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 2, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Aug. 19, 1863

Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co.,. June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 30

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Oct. i;

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 24, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 23, 1863.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Died at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 25, 1863 — buried in

National Cemetery.
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged by General Orders, June 24,
Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. I^-date unknown.
Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Dec
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan.
Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

1863.
1863

1865.

1865.
15, 1862.
IS, 1863.

750 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

COMPANY C.

Alfred Vezin.

J. C. Bradford....
\V. P. Rockhilljr.
Jas. H Lloyd

J. \\. Jackson

J. W. Wainwright
Chas. E. Beck...

Geo. M. Petty

Captain

do....

do....

ist Lieut.

....do

....do

ist Serg.

Nc

3°. ic

James F. Bois.... Q. M. Serg

John B. Wright., ^.-.do ....
J. W. Wireman... Com. Serg.

E. W. Wood '

j
H.W. Esbenshade

Wm. C. Loan 1

John J. Job. . .

Wm. Long

F. P. Drinker
F. E. Remont
A. H. Mershon...'

Washington Airey

W. H. Kimber...j

Geo. H. Lawton.

Jas. S. Welty....

I. B. Jones '

J. C. M'Donald..

W. E. Reppert...

O. T. M'Connell.

D. H. Tawny

J. B. Garber, Jr...|

W. R. Diller |

Wm. F. Colton..
J. W. Phillips....

Sergeant

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...
...do...
...do...

...do...

...do...

Corporal

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...

...do...
Bugler

Nov. 30, iS6i
Aug. 22, i?.62
Oct. 3, 1S62

Nov. 30, 1S61
Nov. 30, 1861
Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

Aug.

Oct.

Sept.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.
Aug.
Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Oct.

Aug.

30, 1862
10, 1862

30, 1862
22, 1862

22, 1862
22, 1862

22, 1B62

22, 1862

22, 1862

22, 1862

22, 1862

12, 1862
22, 1862

22, 1862
2, 1862

REMARKS.

Promoted from Serg. Anderson Troop, Oct. 10,
1862— discharged, Feb. 27, 1863— re-commissioned
Capt. Co. H, March i, 1863.
Promoted from private Anderson Troop, March i,

1863 — discharged, May 8, 1863.
Promoted from 1st Lieut. Co. L, May 8, 1863 — re-
: signed, July 29, 1864.

Promoted to Corp., Oct. 30, 1862 — to ist Serg.,

'. March i, 1863— to ist Lieut., May 8, 1862— to

Capt.. Nov. 5, 1864 — transferred to Co. A, June

21, 1865.

Promoted from private Anderson Troop, Oct. 18,

1862 — resigned Feb. 27, 1863.
Promoted from Serg. Anderson Troop, March i,

1863— discharged, May 8, 1863.
Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— to Serg., April
I 20, 1863— to ist Serg., April 29, 1864— to ist Lieut.,
j Nov. 5, 1864 — mustered out with Co., June 21, '65.
j Promoted to Corp., May 13, 1863— to Com. Serg.,
j June s, 1863— to ist Serg., Nov. 10, 1864— commis-
1 sioned 2d Lieut., May 29, 1865— not mustered—
i absent, on furlough, at must.';r out.
Promoted from private, March 23, 1864— prisoner
from April 4 to 30, 1865— discharged by General
. Orders, June 8th, to date May 18, 1865.
Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., July 15, 1863.
Promoted from private to Serg., April 20, 1863—
j to Com. Serg., Nov. 10, 1864— prisoner from April
4 to 30, 1865— discharged, June 8th, to date May
j 18, 1865.
! Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— to Serg., Aug.

7, 1864— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
' Promoted to Corp., May 13, 1863— to Serg., Nov.
i 10, 1864— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
; Promoted to Corp., June 6, 1863— to Serg., Nov.
i 10, 1864 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., Aug. 7. 1864— to Serg., March
I II, 1865— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., Nov. 11, 1864— to Serg., March
! II, 1865— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 17, 1863.
Promoted to ist Lieut. Co. K, May 17, 1863.
Promoted to Serg., Oct. 30, 1862— discharged, on

Surgeon's certificate. Feb. 9, 1863.
Promoted to Serg., Oct. 31, 1862— to Serg. Maj.,

Nov. I, 7862.
Killed, Dec. 31, 1862— buried in National Cemetery,

Nashville, Tenn.
Promoted to Corp., June 6, 1863— discharged b;

General Orders, May 29, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, 1864— mustered ou

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, 1864— mustered ou

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, 1864— mustered ou

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865— mustered ou

with Co., Tune 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 11, 1865— mustered ou

with Co., Tune 21, T-^es.
Promoted to Corp., March 11, 1865— mustered ou

with Co , Tune 21, t86=;.
Promoted to Corp., March 11, 1865— mustered ou

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to 2d Lieut. Co. H i8oth Reg. P. V.

Oct. 31, 1863.
Promoted to Serg. Maj., March i, 1863.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 751

John Rex

Adair, James M..
Anderson, Ewd...
Alexander, E. P..
Allen, Albert D..
Arnold, H. \V....
Barnitz, Wm. \V.
Bubb, Wm. II...

Bigler, D. E

Barnes, Tas

Boon, Daniel

Blake, Henry C...

Bowles, F. j

Bacon, Amos \\'..
Babbitt, Wm. F..

Benner, Wm

Bowen, John W. .
Badder, Jacob S..

Bauer, Geo

Campbell, G. W..
Crawford, F. M.. .

Caldwell, Wm

Culver, Jno. E. . . .
Carpenter, W. H.
Cutler, Alex. R...
Chase, Wm. B

Camp, Byron O..
Caldwell, Jas. W.
Colton, Matthias.
Cummings, H. M.
Cummings, A. B.
Cummings, \\'. A.
Crawford, W. B...
Carlow, Isaac B..

Clark, Henry

Cole, Ira

Cunningham, Tas.
Dev;lin, Geo. P....
DeGrant, Henry.
Duncan, \\'esley..
Donahue, .Martin.
Davis, E. R. R...

Dennig. Frank H.

Durst, \\'m. J

Dager, N. F

Desilver, Harrv..
Diehl, Henry..'..,.
Eberly, Daniel W.
Esben shade, J. B.

Eley, Solomon

Edwards, Wm. T.
Evans, Edw. F...

Eckert, Geo. W.. .
Engle, Edw. H...
Edwards, Geo. W.

Ferry, Edw. Z

Fisher, Geo

Fisher, Harry C
Fulton, Lewis B.
Franklin, T. F...
Falinestock, S. J.
Fitzwater, Jacob..
Fritz, Chas. H...
Faucett, John F..

Gelwicks, J

Granger, Arthur..

Bugler
Private

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

...do

Aug-. 30, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Apr. 13, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 28, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Apr. 29, 1864

Aug. 12, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

May 3, 1864

Aug. 23, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Apr. II, 1864

Mar. 22, 1S64

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 6, 1862

Aug. 22, 1S62

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 9, 1862

Oct. 7, 1864

June 3, 1864

May 28, 1864

June 8, 1864

Oct. 19, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1S62

Aug. 22, 1862

May 9, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

June 8, 1S64

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept

Aug. 22

Aug. 22

Oct. 2C,

Aug. 22

Oct. 10,

Aug. 22

Aug. 22,

Apr. 6

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 29, 1862

Oct. 2, 1862

6, 1862
12, 1862
12, 1862
:c, 1862
12, 1862
0, 1862
862
862
S64

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Oct. 30, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Oct. 30, 1S63.
j Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to \'eteran Reserve Corps, Jan. 22, '64.
] Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
I Deserted, Aug. 19, 1864.
, Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.
\ Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
I Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.
1 Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
[ Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
( Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Not on muster-out roll.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
I Promoted to Lieut. loist Reg. U. S. C. T., Nov.
4, 1864 — mustered out as Capt., Jan. 21, 1866.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 7, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 18, 1863.

Captured — died at Andersonville, Ga., March 21,
1^64 — grave 97.

Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.

Not on muster-out roll.

Not on muster-out roll.

Not on muster-out roll.

Not on muster-out roll.

Absent, sick, at muster out.

Discharged by General Orders. June 9, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, May 12, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. May 12, 1863.

Pr'^moted to 2d Lieut. 9th Reg. U^. S. Colored
Heavy Artillery, Sept. 28, 1864 — discharged, Aug.
2, 1864.

Transferred to Signal Corps. Oct. 31, 1S63.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Not on muster-out roll.

.'Absent, sick, at muster out.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 9, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 15, 1863.

Died on or about Feb. iS, 1S63, of wounds received
at Stone River, Tenn., Dec. 29, 1862.

Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 5, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Oct. 31, 1863.

Promoted to Medical Cadet U. S. A., June 17, '64-

Transferred to Co. A., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

752 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Gilmore, V. C

Gitt, Thos. W

Gray, Jas

Griffith, Wm

Geary, Harry M..
Graver, Chas. A..
Graff, Wm. H....
Guldin, Tohn A...
Henry, Samuel R.

Hunt, Elwood H.
Henderson, Geo..
Hopkins, David..

Hudson, Edw

Hannum, R. E. ...
Harkinson, David
Harbert, Howard.

Haines, Alvin

Haines, Jos. G

Hagery, Daniel..
Holmes, David...

Huey, Tohn A

Hamilton, Thos...
Hinsinburgh, W..
Henderson, Geo..
Joy, David J. H..

Joy, John

Jones, E. B

Johnson, Wm. M.
Johnson, H. C

Jacoby, Philip S..
Johnson, W^m. M.
Jamison, S. R....
Kelly, R. L

Kelly, Frank

Kenney, Tas. A. . . ■
Keely, Wilfred H. ,
King, Nathan. . . . [

Laws, Geo. C j

Lovett, Benj. F. . . '
Lush, Wm. H....

Leadley, John

Lawton. John

Lonabaugh, J. R.
Lukens, Geo. W^.

Lynch, Daniel

Maxwell, Wm

Mears, Jos. B

Mayberry, W. W.

Maguire, S. J

Mooney, Jas. B..

Milford, Benj

Moore, Nathan...

Morton, A. W

Miller, Christ, Jr.
Morris, Oscar B..

Mears, Harry

Mears, Ed. B., Jr.

Murray, Jas

Murray, John

M'Corkle, Alex...

M'Cauley, Jas

M'Fall, Nicholas.
M'Main, Wm. B..
M'Ginley, Chas...

M'Kee, John

Negus, Jas. E

Private
..do...
..do...

1862
1862

Aug.

Aug. 22,
Apr.

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22

Aug. 22

Aug. 30;

Oct. 10, 1862

Jan. 20, 1864

June 8, 1864

May 4, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

.A.ug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, i3f2

Apr. 23, 1864

June 2>, 1864

Mar. 3",. 1864

Sept. 10. 1864

Sept. 17, 1864

Oct. 10, 1862

May 9, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 6, 1862

Aug. 22. 1862

July II, 1864
Sept. 6, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 6, 1862
6, 1864
10, 1862

21, iS6^
26, 1864

22, 1862

Sept.
Oct.

Mar.
Feb.
Aug.
Aug. 22, 1862
Apr. 27, 1864
Aug. 15, 1864
Aug. 22, 1862
Feb. 3. 1864
May 21, 1864
Mar. 19, 1864
Mar. 30, 1864
Mar. 23, 1864
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
June 3, 1864
Mar. 26, 1864
Aug. 8, 1864
Aug. 23, 1864
Jan. 5, 1864
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862

Discharged by General Orders, June 19, 1865.

Discharged by General Orders, May 5, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.

Commissioned 2d Lieut., March i, 1863— not mus-
tered—discharged by General Orders, May 19,
1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.

Not on muster-out roll.

Xot on muster-out roll.

Not on muster-out roll.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Died on or about Feb. i, 1863, at Nashville, Tenn.
— buried in National Cemetery.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Commissioned 2d Lieut. Co. D, March i, 1863—
not mustered— discharged by General Orders,
May 19, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. K, June 21, 1865.
■Transferred to Co. G, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. F, June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Absent, sick, at muster out.

Transferred to \"eteran Reserve Corps, April 30, '64.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. G— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H— date unknown.
I Not on muster-out roll.'
[Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
[Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 20, '63.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. L-— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Not on muster-out roll.

Not on m,uster-out roll.
'Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 7, 1863.
i Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
! Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 753

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER

REMARKS.

INTO

SERVICE.

Oskins, Zachariali

Private

Aug.

23

1864

Mustered out with Co., Tune 21, 1865.

Paton, Wm

do

Aug.

31

1864

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Pricey, Wm

do

Sept.

28

1864

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

PottSj Clement D.

do

Apr.

12

1864

Promoted to 2d Lieut. loist Reg. U. S. C. T.,
I, 1865— mustered out as ist Lieut., June 21,

Feb.

1866.

Paul, Mickle C...

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Pierce, Chas.'

do

Oct.

3

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Pierce, Jos. K

do

Aug.

22

i86i

Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.

Reihle, Henry B..

do

Aug.

1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Oct. 10,

1863.

Reiseman, John..
Robinson, Samuel

do

Mar.

30

1864

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

do

Aug.

22

Died at Jeffersonville, Ind., March 13, 1865.

Rice, David S...

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

Reeder, VV. DeH.

do

Aui.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. H— date unknown.

Saibel, Augustus.

do

Oct.

3

1862

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Smith, Isaac C...

do

Aug.

22

1862

Sloan. Wm. C...

do

Aug.

22

1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 10,

1863.

Stewart, Edw. S..

do

Aug.

22

1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. May I, 1863.

Schrack, Fred C.

do

Aug.

1862

Promoted to Hospital Steward U. S. A., M
16, 1864.

arch

Smith, Wm. C...

do

Mar.

10

1864

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Shomacker, H. C.

do

Aug.

22

1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 29,
Died at Louisville, Ky., July ii, 1863.

1863.

Sands, Howard...

do

Sept.

6

1862

Spang, Edwin H.

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Stokes, J. 0

do

Aui.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Spang, Othniel S.

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. E— date unknown.

Spang, Frederick.

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Spang, Wm

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. E— date unknown.

Snvder, E. A

do

Au|.

Discharged, Dec. 7, 1862.

Steinmetz, J. R...

do... .

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. I^-date unknown.

Stine, Chas. A....

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.

Smith, Edw. C...

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

Spidle. A. G

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Sellers, A. B

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. E— date unknown.

Topham, S. R....

do

Sept.

16

1862

Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Oct
1863— discharged by General Orders, June 26

31,
, '65.

Townsend. J. C...

do

Aug.

30

1862

Deserted, Jan. i, 1863.

Thorne, Joshua...

do

Aug.

22

Transferred to Co. M, March i, 1863.

Thomas, A. W...

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.

Thomas, Tos. R...

.....do

Aug.

30

1862

Transferred to Co. H— date unknown.

Wheat. Edward..

do

Au|.

1862

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Willard, John M..

do

Aug.

22

1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 18,

1863.

\\'allace, Wm. H.

do

Aug.

1862

Discharged by General Orders, May 11, 1865.

Weikle, Orlando.

do

Aug.

22

1862

Killed at Stone River, Tenn., Jan. i, 1863 — on
Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 21, 1863— bi

roll.

^^'a^ace, Wm. D.

do

Aug.

1862

aried

in National Cemetery, Stone River— grave 492.

A\"eaver, Jonas R.

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Wright, Jos. S...

do

Aug.

1862

Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.

\\'ithington, R.,Jr.

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. L— date unknown.

^^'ilson, Walter G.

do

Aug.

1862

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Willis, T. G

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

Wallace,W. H. H.

do

Au|.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.

Wallace, John C.

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.

Yeager, Wm. R...

do

Aug.

22

1862

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Young, Geo

do

Mar.

26

1864

Not on muster-out roll.

Zoll, J. M., Jr...

do

Aug.

22

1862

Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.

COMPANY D.

M. L. DeCoursey

DATE OF MUSTER I
INTO SERVICE. j

Norman M. Smith ; Captain Nov. 30,

30, 1861

Promoted from Private Anderson Troop, Oct. 10,

1862— resigned, Feb. 28, 1863— re-commissioned

Capt. Co. A. March i, 1863.
Promoted from private Anderson Troop to ist

Lieut., March i, 1863— to Capt., March 13, 1863—

discharged. Mav 8, 1863.

48

754 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Wm. Thompson.

Chas. F. Blight..
Wm. F. Pattison.

Captain

Samuel Kelsey...
Francis M'Carty..

Geo. W. Spencer.

Bernard Hough..

A. S. R. Overholt

John M. Golmour

Theo. F. Beck...
J. B. M'Glumphey

S. G. Burroughs..

Smitli Newcomer.

Henry Cress

M. L. Niswonger

D. S. Fulkreth...

James Collins

Charles H. Cress.

Nicholas Messer..

J. S. R. Overholt.

John V. Horn

Wm. M. Field....

L. S. Strickler....
F. J. Koesterer..
John H. Border..

Ayres, John

Ayres, Samuel . .
Anspach, F., Jr...
Anderson, E. W..
Adams, Frank T.
Boutcher, G. M.D.
Bourke, John G.. .

Brown, John

Belder, Wm

Baugh, Geo. W. . .

Brown, Wm

Bittle, Wm. H...
Bowman, S. C

....do

Sergeant

....do

....do

....do

....do

....do

....do

Corporal

....do

....do

....do

....do

....do....

....do....

....do....
....do....

Bugler

— do

Farrier

Private
....do....
....do. ..
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do.. .
....do...

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 6, 1862

Josiah P. Turner. | ist Serg. Aug. 30, 1862

Henry D. Hirst.. IQ.M. Serg. 1 Aug. 30, 1862

Lewis Selgrade... Com. Serg Aug. 22, 1862

D. E. Miller do.

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. s, 1862

Sept. 5, 1862

x\ug. 22, 1862

Sept. 6, 1862

22, 1862
3, 1862

Aug.
Oct.

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 9, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 9, 1862

Sept. 6, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 13, 1862

Aug. 2, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22i 1862

Oct. 25, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Promoted from ist Serg., March i, 1863— to 1st

Lieut., March 13, 1863— to Capt., May 8, 1863—

mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to ist Serg., March 1, 1863— to ist Lieut.,

May 8, 1863— mustered out with Co., June 21, '65.
Promoted to Serg., March 22, 1863— to ist Serg.,

May 22, 1863— to 2d Lieut., May 28, 1865— mus-
tered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted from private to Serg., March 1, 1863—

to ist Serg., June i, 1865— mustered out with Co.,

June .^i, 1865.
Promoted from private, March i, 1863 — mustered

out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted from private, Jan. i, 1864— mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Oct. 3, 1862— to Com. Serg.,

Nov. 23, 1862— discharged on Surgeon's certifi-
cate, Jan. 29, 1863.
Deserted, Dec. 12, 1863.
Promoted from private, March i, 1863 — mustered

out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 22, 1863— to Serg., May

13, 1863— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., May i, 1863— to Serg., Aug. 16,

1864— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., June 4, 1863—10 Serg., March

13, 1865— discharged by General Orders, July 6,

1865.
Promoted to Corp., Aug. 16, 1864— to Serg., June

I, 1865— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 18, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 22, 1863— to Serg., Jan.

17, 1864— to Veterinary Surgeon, July 22, 1864.
Promoted to Serg., Oct. 30, 1862— discharged on

Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 29, 1863.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 11, 1864— mustered ou

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 1.1, 1864— mustered ou

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 11, 1864— mustered ou

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 11, 1864 — mustered oui

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 15, 1865— mustered ou'

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 15, 1865— mustered ou'

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., June i, 1865— mustered ou

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 15, 1865— discharged by

General Orders, July 6, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 23, '63.
Promoted to Corp., Oct., 1862— to Reg. Com. Serg.,

March I, 1863.
Promoted to chief bugler, Nov. i, 1864.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 20, 1863.
Promoted to farrier, March i, 1863— mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 11, 1863.
Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged by General Orders, July 5, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 2, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 11, '63.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 4, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 6, 1863.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

755

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER

REMARKS.

INTO SERVICE.

Barringer, Jacob.

Private

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Balmer, Benj

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.

Bechtelle, C. P...

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. L— date unknown.

Buttorf, Geo. W.

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Baker, Jas

do

Aug. 29

1864

Not on muster-out roll.

Cross, Louis B...

do

Aug. 22

1862

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Coogle, David C.

do

Aug. 22

1862

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Clark, Chas

do

Transferred to Co. C 46th Reg. P. V.— date un-
known.

Corbine, Jas. W...

do

Transferred to 46th Reg. P. V.— date unknown.

Carr, Geo. H

do

Apr. 5

1864

Deserted, April 15, 1864.

Callahn, John C.

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Connard, D. R....

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.

Combs, Robert D.

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

Dager, Robt. P...

do

Aug. 22

1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 21, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. May 12, 1863.

Donohue, M. L...

do

Aug. 22

1862

Davis, Albert G...

do... .

Aug. 22

1862

Discharged by General Orders, May 3, 1865.

DeHaven, Rhodes

do

Aug. 22

1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 14, 1863.

Donner, Wm

do

July 8

1864

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Davis, Harry H...

do

Oct. 9

1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 6, 1863.

Davis, E. R. R....

....do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.

Davis, Wm. H...

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Dennis, Henry G.

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.

Devlin, Geo. P...

.....do

Oct. 9

1862

Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.

Dunlap, Wm. A..

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Dunn, Jas. L

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.

Ennis, Samuel L.

do

Aue. 22

1862

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Evans, Horace

do

Aug. 22

1862

Promoted to Adjt. 199th Reg. P. V., Dec. 21, 1864.

Eberly, Daniel W.

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.

Evans, Abner

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Fackney, Wm. M.

do

Au"fe. 22

1862

Mustered out with Co., Tune 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Fodell, John C...

do

Sept. 6

1862

Foster, Frederick

do

Aug. 22

1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 14, 1864.

Fry, Israel

i do

Apr. 4

1864

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Fisher, Geo

do

Apr. 26

1862

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Fullerton, E. M...

.....do

Aug. 22

1862

Died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 25, 1863.

Frits, Henry B...

do

Aug. 22

1862

Died at Nashvile, Tenn., July 2, 1863— buried in
National Cemetery, section C, grave 306.

Foster, Jas. M...

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.

Fenimore, Jas. S.

do

Au|. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. G— date unknown.

Foster, Henry K.

■ do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

Grim, Wm

; do

Oct. 3

1862

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Geiger, John

do

Sept. I

1864

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Guldin, John A...

do

Aug. 22

1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. May 4, 1863.

Gyger, Samuel...

do

Sept. 6

1862

Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., June 27, 1863— buried
in National Cemetery, Stone River.

Gaffey, Wesley S.

do

Aug. 22

1862

Deserted, Dec. 28, 1862.

Hartley, John M.

do

Aug. 30

1862

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Houston, Jas. H.

....do

Aug. 22

1862

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Henry, Thos. M..

do

Sept. 5

1864

Mustered out with Co., Tune 2r, 1865.

Hemp, John

do

Sept. 5

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Haymaker, Geo...

do

Sept. I

1864

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Hutchinson, T. M.

do

Aug. 26

1864

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Hayden, W. H...

do

Sept. i6

1862

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Holtzworth, Jas..

do ....

Sept. i6

1864

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Hall, Geo

do

July 8

1864

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Halberstadt, A. M.

do

Aug. 22

1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 11, 1863.

Hough, E. W....

do

Aug. 22

1862

Died at Philadelphia, Pa., April 30, 1863.

Hough, Oliver

do

Aug. 22

1862

Died at Nashville, Tenn., July 16, 1863— buried in
National Cemetery, section C, grave 236.

Helling, Henry...

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Hcnnis, Jacob G.

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. G— date unknown.

Johnson, D. C...

do

Oct. lO

1862

Mustered out with Co., Tune 21, 1865.

Johnson, Joshua..
Johnson, Harrison

do

Aug. 22

1862

Absent, sick, at muster out.

do

Aug. 22

1862

Died at Louisville, Ky., Dec. 16, 1863— buried in

National Cemetery, section B, row 25, grave 23.

Johnston, J. W...

do

Aug. 22

1862

Transferred to Co. E— date unknown.

Johnston, W. S...
Keefer, Wm

do

Sept. 6

1862

Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

do

Sept. s

1864

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Rough, Jos. M

do

Aug. 22

1862

Discharged on Surgeon's' certificate, July 21, i8f3.

756 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

King, Wm

King, Jacob

Knight, S. N

Lennig, Nicholas
Louder, Geo. B...

Lundy, Wm

Lester, Morton...

Lee, Joseph

Langen, Thos

Lynch, Wm

Lambert, W. H...

Long, Hiram H...
Leedom, Isaac...
Lewis, John D...
Lewis, Samuel A.

Link, F. J

Locke, Jesse B...

Meanor, M. R

MauricC;, W. W...
Murphy, F. W....

Mull, August.
Masson. Edw

H.

Conrad. ...
, Jas A....
•, John H..
Henry H.

Morns, Amos.
Miller, Conrad.
Murray,
Metzler,
Myers, Henry

M'Coy, Lewis

M'Cormick, H. C.

M'Mullen, Robert
M'Manus, Thos.

Neil, Geo

Nudd, Chas. B..
Overholt, John.
Overholt, H. D.
Oliver, D. W...
Parker, John F.
Patterson, T. B.J;
Paxson, Jas G. .
Pharo, H. W....
Peterson, Jos...
Peck, Henry H.

Pugh, Chas

Pugh, John R..
Ramaly, Geo. R.

Requa, Jas. E

Rihl, Albert M.
Rogers, Wm. C.
Squires, Jos. C

Seaton, Amos..
Seaton, Louis. . .
Seeton, Herman
Swartzbager, C
Sounders, John.
Stallman, L. A.
Staker, Wm. F..

Steel, Fred. A. T.

Sausser, John W.
Swartz, Jacob A..
Shelmire, John J.
Simons, Wm. F.
Snyder, H. D. . .
Southard, S. S..
Strebig, John P.

Private
...do....

...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...

...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
.-.do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...

...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...

...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...

Mar.

IS

1864

Aug.

22

1862

Aug.

22

1862

Aug.

22

1862

Aug.

?o

1862

Aug.

22

1862

Aug.

22

1862

Sept.

=;,

1864

Apr.

27,

1864

Aug.

22

1862

Aug. 22
Aug. 22

Aug. 22:
Aug. 22

Aug. 22,
Aug. 22
Sept. I
Aug. 22
Oct. a
April 6,
Sept. 6;
May 4
Aug. 22

Aug. 22;

Aug. 22,
Aug. 22
Aug. 26,

Aug. 22;

Dec. 8;
Sept. 14,

Aug. 22;

Aug. 22

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22.

Aug. 22,

Aug.
Aug.
Aug.

Aug. 22

Sept. 8
Oct. 10,
Aug. 22,

Aug. 22;

Sept. 8;
Aug. 22
Aug. 22,

Aug. 22;

Oct. 10,

Aug. 26,
Aug. 26;
Aug. 26,
Sept. 9;
Aug. IS;

Aug. 22;
Aug. 22;

Aug. 22;

Aug. 22.

Aug. 22;
Aug. 22;

Aug. 22

Sept. 6

Aug. 22;

Aug. 22;

1862
1862
1862
1862
1864
1862
1862
1864
1862
1864
1862
1862
1862
1862
1864
1862

1864
1864
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1864
1862
1862
1862
1864
1862
1862
1862
1862

1864
1864
1864
1864
1862
IS62
1862

1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Accidentally killed near Lynchburg, Va., April 8,

1865.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21^ 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Never joined Co.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, May 19, 1863.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Mustered out Nov. 24, 1862, to receive promotion as

First Lieut, and Adjt. 27th New Jersey.
Discharged on Surgeon's certiiicate, Jan. 11, 1863.
Transferred to Co. H— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. May 18, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March s, 1864.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Deserted, May 27, 1863.
Deserted, Aug. 19, 1864.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Jan. i, 1865

—discharged by General Orders, July" 3, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21. 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 24, 1863.
Died at Nashville, Tenn., March i, 1863.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
Prisoner from Sept. 20, 1863, to March 22, 1864 —

discharged by General Orders, June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21,
Mustered out with Co., June 21^
Mustered out with Co., June 21,
Mustered out with Co., June 21,
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 18, 1863.
Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., May i, 1863— buried

in National Cemetery, Stone River— grave 236.
Died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Aug. 17, 1864 — buried

in National Cemetery, grave 459.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 757

Supplee, Hender. j

Toot, Wm. H

Tyndale, John

Thompson, Wm..
Taylor, Robt. R..

Tompkins, F. S.. .
Tucker, Thos. B.
Tvson, Samuel T.
Van Dyke, H. S..

Warren, Thos. C.
Williams, J. M...
\yilliams, W. H..
Wilson, Geo. W..
Williams, Adolph.
Westlake, John S.
Wiestling, S. C.
Wilson, John J.

Wavne, Wm. H. . .
Wills, Andrew....
Weand, Harry K..
Wheat, Edward..-
Whipkcv, T. J...
Wills, Wm., Jr....
^^'orrell, Isaac, J.
Wright, Julian P.

Yute, Jacob

Yeo, Reuben

Young, Wm. S

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER

INTO SERVICE.

Private

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Sept. 16, 1864

do

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Aug. 22. i862

do

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Aug. 22, 1862

do.....

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Oct. 3. 1862

do

Sept. 4. 1864

do

Aug. 22, 1864

do

June 20, 1864

do

June 24, 1864

do

Sept. 6, 1862

do

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Aug. 22, 1862

ao

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Aug. 22, 1862

do

Sept. 5, 1864

do

do

Aug. 22, 1862

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 4
Deserted, Dec. 8, 1862.
Captured at Stone River, Tenn., Dec. 30,

dropped from the rolls, June 30, 1864.
Transferred to Co. H— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.
Died at Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 14, 1863

buried in

National Cemetery.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Absent, on detached service, at muster out.
Mustered out with Co., June 21. 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 2, 1863.
Died at Wauhatchie, Tenn., Dec. 7, 1864— buried in

National Cemetery,, Chattanooga— grave 135.
Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
"transferred to Co. A— date unknown.

COMPANY E.

NAME.

RANK.

J. Blackstone, Jr.

Captain

Geo. S. Clark....

do....

Edward Marshall.

ist Lieut.

Chas. H. Kirk....

do

John Burton

2d Lieut.

Jos. T. Sullivan..

ist Serg.

Chas. M. Betts...

do

Geo. F. Headley.

0. M. Serg.

Wm. P. Ellis

do

Isaac Bartram

Com. Serg.

Levi Sheflfler

Sergeant

DATE OF MUSTER
INTO SERVICE.

Mar. IS,

1863

Oct. 3,

1S62

Nov. 30,

1861

Aug. 22,

1862

Aug. 22,

1862

Sept. 6,

1862

Aug. 22,

1862

Aug. 22,

1862

Aug. 22,

1862

Oct. 3.

1S62

Aug. 30,

1862

REMARKS.

Promoted from Adjt., March 14, 1863— discharged.

May 8, 1863.
Promoted from Reg. Q. M. Serg., May 8, 1863—

wounded in action, Dec. 13. 1863— discharged,

July 18th, to date June 21, 1865.
Promoted from Serg. Anderson Troops, March i,

1863— discharged. May 8, 1863.
Promoted to Corp., Oct. 30, 1863— to Serg., March

I, 1863— to ist Serg., March 15, 1863— to ist Lieut.,

May 8, 1863— mustered out with Co., June 21, '65.
Promoted to Serg., March i, 1863— to ist Serg.,

May 8, 1863— to 2d Lieut.. May 28, 1865— mustered

out' with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Oct. 30, 1862— to Serg., April

18, 1863— to ist Serg., June i, 1865— mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Serg., Oct. 30. 1S62— to ist Serg., Nov.

I. 1862— to Capt. Co. F, March i, 1863.
Promoted to Corp., May s, 1863— to Q. M. Serg.,

June I, 1865— mustered out with Co., June 21, '65.
Promoted to Q. M. Serg., March i, 1863— dis-
charged by General Orders, May 29, 1865— order

dated. May 17, 1865.
Prompted to Corp., Oct. 30, 1862— to Com. Serg.,

March i, 1863— mustered out with Co., June 21,

1865.
Promoted to Serg., March i, 1863 — mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.

758 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

'

DATE OF MUSTER

NAME.

RANK.

INTO SERVICE.

H. W. Becker....

Sergeant

Aug. 22,

1862

Robt. E. Sloan...

do

Aug. 25,

1862

Alex. B. M'Nair..

do

Sept. 6,

1862

Jacob Kitzmiller..

do

Aug. 22,

1862

John S. Bower...

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Wm. Conard

do

Aug. 30,

1862

Josiah C. Reiff...

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Wm. Spang

Corporal

Aug. 22,

1862

John S. Cooper..

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Wm. M. Johnson

do

Aug. 22,

1S62

E. L. Hiltner....

do

Aug. 22,

1862

John E. Benner..

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Chas. A. Graver..

do

Aug. 22,

1862

P. S. Jacoby

do

Aug. 22,

1862

John W. Johnston

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Wm. Walsh

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Henry Chalmers..

Saddler

Aug. 22,

1862

Cumpston, John..

Teamster

Oct. 10,

1862

Alexander, C. H.

Private

Oct. 10,

1862

Armstrong, Wm..

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Anderson, Ed

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Barr, Samuel

do

Oct. 10,

1862

Buzby, Howard..

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Bowers, Wm. F..

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Beachell, H. R...

do

May 23,

1864

Burke, Patrick...

do

May 21,

1864

Burns, Wm

do

May 3.

1864

Brough, C. M....

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Barnitz, Wm. W.

' do

Aug. 22,

1862

Black, S. C

j do

Aug. 22,

1862

Benner, B. S

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Bleyler, Geo. W.

! do

Aug. 22,

1862

Bourke, T. G

i do

Oct. 13,

1862

Brough, H. H....

do

1 Sept. 6,

1862

Bishop, Geo. W..

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Brown, John E...

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Burke, Jas

i do

Aug. 22,

Buchanan, And. T-

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Burns, Wm '. .

do

i May 3
Sept. 12

1864

Cassady, Nicholas

do

1864

Cornes, Edw

ao

Aug. 22,

1862

Cummings, W. A.

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Chase, R. W

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Conners, John

do

May 25

1864

Conaway, John F.

; do

Aug. 22

1862

Chase, Wm. B....

do

Aug. 22

1862

Conaway, Jas

do

Au|. 22

Clark, Daniel A...

do

Oct. 3

1862

Coleman. A. B...

do

Oct. 3

Cornwell, J. H....

do

Oct. 10

1862

Crossin, James...

j do

Sept. 27

1864

Dager, N. F

do

Aug. 22

1862

Donnelly, P. J....

do

Aug. 22

1862

REMARKS.

1863 — mustered ou
15, 1863— discharged by

Nov.

Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— to Serg., May

15, 1863 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Serg., March i, 1863— mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., May 15, 1863— to Serg., July

22, 1864— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Aug. 6, 1864— to Serg., June i

1865 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp. Oct. 30, 1862— to Serg., Nov. i

1862— discharged for promotion, Feb. i, 1863.
Promoted to Serg., Oct. 30, 1862 — discharged on

Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 27, 1863.
^Promoted to Serg., March i, 1863— to Reg. Com
I Serg., Nov. 14, 1863.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, 1864— mustered ou

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, 1864 — mustered ou
I with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865— mustered oul

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865— mustered ou

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., June i, 1865— mustered ou

with Co.,, June 21, 1865.
j Promoted* to Corp., Tune

with Co., June .21,. 1865.
I Promoted to Corp., June
! General Orders, May 3, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., June 8, 1864— to Q. M
! 4, 1864.
Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— transferred to

2d Battalion Delaware Cavalry, Jan. 27, 1864.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 4, 1S63.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Deserted, June 16, 1864.
Deserted, May 19, 1864.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
NTot on muster-out roll.
Mustered out with Co.. June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, July 20, 1863.
Discharged for promotion, Dec. 22, 1864.
Killed at Stone River, Tenn., Dec. 29, 1862— buried

in National Cemetery, Nashville— sec. C, grave 235.
Deserted, June 16, 1864.
Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
[Not on muster-out roll.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged by General Orders, June 17, 1865.

Muster Roll of the Fiftccntli Pcnnsyk'ania Cavalry.

759

Dunseath, D., Jr

Delaney, Edw

Devine, S. G

Drinkhouse, A. T
Eves, Hiram P..,
Foresman, Jas. A
Franklin, T. H...
Fullerton, E. M..

Golian, Jacob

GlendenningAN .S

Gitt, Thos. W...
Guyer, John F...
Granger, Arthur.

Hart, Wm

Hall, Lorenzo

Harrison, J. H..

Howell, Jacob

Howell, John

Hagey, Daniel K
Heberton, H. D.,
Howe, David F...
Hincle, Chas. P..
Henry, Walter..
Hildebrand, G. W

Hough, E. \V

Hartley, Wm. A.
Hough, Oliver...

Hougn, Benj

Harsh, Paul

Hirst, John C

Hergesheimer, W

Irwin, ^^'m. E

Johnson, Wm

Johnson, Wm. S,

Johnston, John..
Jackson, Jos. R..

Kent, Jas

Kuhn, Wm

Kennedy, W. S..
Kinter, Geo. W..
King, David C. .
Lewis, Samuel A,

Lancaster, Eben

Lee, Jos

Lowe, Andrew E,

Lord, S., Jr

Lancaster, Thos.
Marple, E. W...

Miller, S. L

jNIarcus, Wm

Mahoney, John..

Morton, L." A

jMullen, Edw

Mullen, Wm. J...

Meals, Jos

Marshall, John K

Moore, John

Martin, John A...
Murphy," F. W..,
Mulhol'land, D. B
McGlaughlin, J..
M'Cann, Gabriel.
M'Kee, John

M'lvers, John...
M'Gibbon, Jas...
M'Laiighlin, Thos,

Private
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....

...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...clo....

...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....

DATE OF MUSTER

INTO SERVICE.

Oct. 3,

1S62

-Aug. 30

1864

C^ct. 3,

1862

Aug. 2.2,

1862

Aug. 22,

1862 1

Oct. 3,

1862

Aug. 30,

1862

Aug. 22,

1862

Aug. 30,

1862

Aug. 22,

1862

May 25

1864

Oct. 3,

1862

Oct. 3

1862

Aug. 22,

1862

Aug. 22,

1862

Oct. 10

1862 1

Aug. 17,

1864 1

Aug. 22,

1862

Aug. 22,

1862

Aug. 22,

1862

Aug. 22,

1862

Aug. 22

1862

Aug. 22

1862 1

Aug. 22

1862

Aug. 22

1862

Sept. 6

1862

Sept. 6

1862

Oct. 3

1862 i

Aug. 22

1862

Oct. 3

1862

Sept. 9

1864

Aug. 22

1862

May 27

1864

Aug. 22

1862

Oct. 10

1862

Sept. 21

1864

May 24

1864

Aug. 22

1862

Aug. 22

1862

Aug. 22

1S62

Aug. 22

1862

Aug. 22

1862

Aug. 22

1862

Aug. 22

1862

Aug. 22

1862

Aug. 22

1862

Aug. 22

1862

Au.-. 22

1862

Apr. 13

1864

May 17

1864

Aug. 22

1862

Aug. 22

1862

Aug. 22

1862

Aug. 22

1862

Aug. 22

1862

Oct. 3

1862

June 3

1864

Sept. 6

1862

Oct. 10

1862

Sept. 6

1862

Aug. 17

1864

May 27

1864

Apr. 20

1864

REMARKS.

Dromotion.

5, 1863.

, 1863.

1864.
13.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865

Discharged, Nov. 27, 1862, to receive

Transferred to Co. L— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Veteran "Reserve Corps,— date un-
known.

Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865

Discharged by Special Order, April

Discharged by Special Order, July 1

Discharged for promotion, March 14,

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Dec.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.
] Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 16,

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 186.5.

Promoted to Hospital Steward U. S. A., Feb.
1864.

Deserted, June 16, 1864.

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., Ji

Mustered out with Co., Ji

Transferred to Co. A, Jun

Transferred to Co. F — ^date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Promoted to 2d Lieut, ist Battalion Nebraska Cav-
alry, June 16, 1864— resigned. June 28, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Aug. 24, 1863 —
died at Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 31, 1863.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21. 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21. 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21. 1865.

1862.

1864.

le 21. i»65.
le 21, 1865.
1865.

F — date unknown.
G — date unknown.
F — date unknown.
M — date vmknown.
I — date unknown.
D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co.
Transferred to Co.
Transferred to Co.
Transferred to Co.
Transferred to Co.
Transferred to Co.
Not on muster-out roll.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Wounded near Lynchburg, Va., April 6, 1865 — dis-
charged by General Orders, Aug. 9, 1865.
iNIustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Not on muster-out roll.

760 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Noel, Samuel

Naggle, Geo. W..

Orr, Jas. P

Oliver, Horatio N.
O'Brien, Francis.
Piper, Henry A.. .

Painter, Wm

Parker, John

Pontius, Henry P.
Pattison, Wm. F.

Paxson, Jas. G

Pierce, Wm. H...
Paschall, Harry..
Pancoast, Richard

Pontius, Jos

Rile, Wm. K !

Rahan, Oscar

Rothermel, Jas. A.

Ryan, Milton

Ringwood, Peter.

Reeseman, D

Rue, Joseph

Spang, O. S

Sellers, A. B'

Southard, S. S

Showers, Samuel.
Schaffer, D. C...

Shivers, Edw

Stickney, A. M...

Salterfield, PI

Smith, Jas

Shallcross, I. E...
Stewart, Chas. H.
Seymour, Samuel.
Shinn, Benj. F. ..
Scanlan, Patrick..
Shannon, John...
Smith, Michael...

Swisher, Jas

Spencer, Geo. W.
Small, Wm. H...

Sellers, Edw

Shields, Geo. J...
Snyder, Beniah C.
Shaffer, Wm. G...
Supplee, Warren.
Scheerer, Paul A.
Spiller, Geo. B...

Smith, Walter

Taylor, Chas. E...
Turbett, Henry B.
Taylor, Augustus.
Tomlinson, Wm. .

Turner, David

Tawney, David...
Thorne, Harry....

Tarr, Wm

Thompson, Geo...
\'ansant, Wm. S..

Winter, E. C

Whitehead, Peter.
Wilkeson, Wm. . .
Williamson, M. H.
Wildes, John E..
\\'right. Ell wood..
Willard, John M.
Wireman, J. W...
Welty, Jas

DATE OF MUSTER
INTO SERVICE.

..do.
..do.
..do.
..do.
..do.
..do.
..do.
..do.
..do.
..do
..do.
..do.
..do.
..do.
..do..
..do.,
..do.,

..do.
..do
..do.
..do.
..do.

..do.
..do.
..do.
..do.

,.do..
..do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do..

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

May 20, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Sept. 6, 1862
Aug. 30, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. ^22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 6, 1862

REMARKS.

-mustered out with

July

Sept.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Sept.

Aug.

Oct.

May

Apr.

May

Sept.

Jan.

Aug.

Sept.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Oct.

Aug.

May

Mar.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

May

Aug.

Aug.

Oct.

Aug.

Mar.

Aug.

Sept.

Aug.

Sept.

Sept.

Aug.

Oct.

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

23, 1S64

6, 1862

22, 1862

22, 1862

22, 1862

22, 1862

22, 1862

22, 1862

30, 1864
28, 1864
28, 1864

6, 1862

22, 1862

31. 1863
9, 1864

31, 1864
I, 1864
3. 1864
22, 1862
6, 1862
22, 1S62
22, 1862
22, 1862
22, 1862
22, 1862
3, 1862
22, 1862

30, 1864
28, 1864
22, 1862
22, 1862
22, 1862

27, 186.1.

31, 1864
22, 1862

3, 1862
22, 1862

28, 1864
22, 1862

6, 1862

9. 1864
28, 1864

6, 1862
22, 1862

3, 1862
22, 1862
22, 1862
22, 1862

Reported for duty, Nov. 7,

Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Died at Carlisle, Pa., Oct. 24, 1862.
Deserted, Dec. 8, 1862.
Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
I Discharged on Surgeon's certificate — date unknown.
: Promoted to 2d Lieut., Co. L, i8oth Reg. P. V.,
Oct. 13, 1863.
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps— date un-
known.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
' Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 2t, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged by General Orders, Aug. 23, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21. 1865.
Never joined Co.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate May 26, 1864.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, July 20, 1864.
Transferred to 46th Reg. P. V., July 9, 1864.
Transferred to Co. A, June 2ij 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1863.
Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.
Not on muster-out roll.
Not on muster-out roll.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged by General Orders, May 13, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 7, 1863.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
' Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
Not on muster-out roll.
Not on muster-out roll.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged by Special Order, Jan. 10, 1865.
i Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 6, 1863.
Died at Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 4, 1863.
Deserted, Jan. 15, 1863.
i Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 761

Weir, Jas. A

White, Isaac

Weaver, Chas

Wampler, Samuel
Wilson, Wm

Private
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....

Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 10, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

REMARKS.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.

COMPANY F.

Chas. M. Betts.
C. J. Mather....

H. O. Tintsman
David C. White

C. S. Derland..
J. K. Marshall..

Paul Hersh

Wm. P. Smith..
Simeon Lord, Jr
Harry Paschall.
David Reesman.
Geo. W. Kinter

D. A. Hunter...

Tos. H. Seal....
Edw. C. Smith.

R. Worthington

Isaac C. Davis

J. B. Johnston.

John Ketchem..

Benj. B. Evans.

Robt. M. Garrett

Moses Wentz

Wm. Anderson..

Jacob Hewitt

David S. Rice...
H. Newingham..
Armstrong, Wm.
Aiken, Perlee J..
Andrews, Wm...

Captain Aug. 22. 1862
do Aug. 22, 1862

ist Lieut.

do

2d Lieut.
ist Serg.

Q. M. Serg.
Com. Serg.

Sergeant

....do....

....do....

....do.....

....do....

....do....
....do....

Corporal

....do....

....do....

....do....

....do....

....do....

....do....

....do....

Bugler
Farrier
Saddler
Private

....do....

....do....

Nov. 30, 1861

Aug. 30, 1862

Nov. 30, 1S61

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 6, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug, 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 2.7, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. IS, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Promoted from ist Serg., Co. E, March i, 1863—
Maj., May 11, 1864.
i Promoted from ist Serg. Co. B, March i, 1863 —
f to Capt., May 11, 1864— mustered out with Co.,
June 21, 1865.
Promoted from Corp. Anderson Troop, Oct. 13,
1862— resigned, Feb. 27, 1863.
j Promoted from ist Serg., Aug. 15, 1864— mustered

out with Co., June 21, 1865.
! Promoted from private Anderson Troop, Oct. 18,
1862 — resigned, Feb. 27, 1863.
Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— to Serg., May
j 12, 1863— to ist Serg., Aug. 16, 1864— commissioned
I 2d Lieut., May 29, 1865— not mustered— mustered
[ out with Co., June 21, 1865.

1 Promoted to O. M. Serg., March i, 1863— mustered
out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Com. Serg., March i, 1863— mustered

out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— to Serg., May

12, 1863— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

' Promoted to Corp., March i. 1863— to Serg., Aug,

7, 1864— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., May 12, 1863— to Serg., Aug,

16, 1864— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., May 14, 1863— to Serg., Marcl

16, 1865— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

I Promoted to Corp., June 4, 1863— to Serg., Marcl-

' 16, 1865— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865,

i Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, July 6, 1863

Promoted to Serg., March ) "'
! Co. I. May i^ 1863.

June s,
1865.

Aug. 16,
1865.
Nov. 25,

Promoted to Corp.

with Co., June 21
Promoted to Corp.,

with Co., June 21
Promoted to Corn.,

with Co., June 21,
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 25,

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16,

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16,

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16,

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865 — mustered ou'

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 23, 1863
Died at Stevenson, Ala., Aug. 24, 1863.

1863— to ist Serg
1863 — mustered ou
i864^mustered ou
1864— mustered ou
1864 — mustered ou
1865 — mustered ou
1865— mustered ou
1865 — mustered ou

762 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Baker, Geo

Bishop, Geo. W.

Burke, Jas

Brown, Geo. E.
Bugher, S. D...
Baker, J. S. P..
Bell, Wm. S....
Boice, E. II....
Buchanan, A. J.
Butcher, David F.
Brooks, Harvey.

Boies, Jas. F

Brownlee, R. W.,
Brownlee, M. P..
Boggs, Samuel R

Corson, Jas ,

Coombs, Robt. D

Cole, Luther B..
Cornwell, Jas. H

Cross, Louis B...
Chalmers, Henry-
Comes. Edvi'

Clark, David

Collins, Jas ,

Coogle, David

Crum, J. H...

Deeter, Elias

Davidson, Geo. N

Davis, John M

Dennig, Frank H
Euwer, Sayers B.,
Elliott, John M..
Foster, Henry K

Fry, Harry C

Fulton, Louis B.
FairchiJds, S. R.,
Frits, Henry B..
Fulkerth, D. B...

Fisher, IDaniel

Farrer, John G. .
Gaflf, Wm. H.
Grimm, L

Griffith. Ezra E..
Gass, Samuel W

Griffith, Wm

Gilmore, Vance C
Griffey, Wesley S-

Hilty, Jos ■ . .

Herman, John C
Kitchens, A. G..
Horner, John D.

Harvey, j. W

Hull, John D

Hammell, R. W.
Hill, Martin L...,
Huntley, W. E..
Hatch, Chas. H..
Hughes, Barnett
Hommell, Ferd. .
Heffley, Wm. H.
Hood, Alfred W.
Herbert, J'.owman
Howard, Adol. P.
Hathaway, T. M
Harrington, Geo.
Jackson, John W.
Jamison, John A.

Private
...do...,
...do...,

. ..do

...do...
...do...
...do...,
...do...,
...do...
...do...
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,

...do....
...do....

...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..

...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..

Sept. 16, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. I, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Apr. 2y, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 26, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 31, 1861

Oct. 10, 1862

Aug. 22
Oct. 3
Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Aug. 22
Aug. 22,
Aug.

Aug. 22

Aug. 22

Aug. 22

Aug. 22

Aug. 22

Aug. 22

Aug. 22

Aug. 22

Aug. 22

Aug. 22

Aug. 22

Aug. 22

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22

Aug.
Oct.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
.■\ug.
Sept.
Aug.
Aug.
Sept.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Apr.
Mar.
Feb.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Nov.
Sept.
Oct.

1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862

1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862

1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1864
1862
1862
1864

1862
1862
1862
--, 1864
29, 1864
25, 1864

1862

22

22

, 1864
17, 1864

865,

by General
April 26, '64.

I Mustered out with Co.^ June 21,
' Mustered out with Co., June 21,
'■ Mustered out with Co., June 21,
; Mustered out with Co., June 21,

Mustered out with Co., June 21,

Mustered out with Co., June 21,

Mustered out witn Co., June 21,

Died at Pittsburg, Pa., April, 1864.

Deserted — date unknown.
, Discharged by Special Order, May 2, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Captured — date unknown — discharged
Orders, July 5, 1865.

Transferred to Co. D 80th Reg. P. V

Transferred to Co. K_2ist Reg. Veteran Reserve
Corps, Jan. 15, 1864 — discharged by General
Orders, Aug. 31, 1865.

Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Discharged by General Orders, July 23, 1865.

Transferred to 80th Reg. P. V., April 26, 1864.

Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G— date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Capt. loist Reg. U. S. C. Troops,
Aug. 2, 1864— mustered out, Jan. 21, 1866.

Discharged by General Orders, May 31

Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., April 13,

Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 23, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. May i, 1863.

Killed near Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 25, 1862.

Died at Carlisle, Pa., Oct. 22, 1862.

Transferred to Co. A, Tune 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21^ 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., April 11,

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I — date tmknown.

Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.

Not on muster-oul roll.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

1865.
1863.

1863.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 763

Johnston, Walter i Private

Sept. 6, 1862

Johnson, Harrison
Kline, Paul H...
Kline, Geo. W. ..
Kneass, Samuel.
Kellj', Anthony..

Keefer, John

Krouse, J. L. H.
King, Nathan...
Kough, Jos. M..

Kerr. Jerome

Krepps, Adam...
Locke, Jesse R. .
Lusk, John D.. . .

Lowe, A. E

Lane, Jackson J.
Lescure, Edw. J.

Lee, Jos. G

Lewis, John D. . .
Lawton, Geo. H.

Long, \Vm

Logan, Hugh

Logan, ^^'m. R. .

Lewis, Jas. A

Lewis, John N.. .
Mullen, Wm. J..
Marsh, John M.
Moore, \\m. W..
Marion, \\'m. Jr.
Metzger, Daniel.
Metzger, L. R...
Messer, Nicholas
Martin, Jas. R...
Milligan, D. M..
Miller, Phillip P.

M'Gee, Wm

M'Corniick, Jas..
M'Kenney, \\'m.
!M'N^ay, \\'arren. .

!M'Gee, Henry...
M'Cormick, H. C
M'Carty, Francis
M'Donald, J. C.
M'Cord, Jas. E..

M'Vey, L. D

Neely, Jas. M

Noble, John

Nagle, Geo. W.
Newton, Chas. B,
Niswonger, M. L.
Overholt, T. S....
Overholt, J. S. R.
Overholt, A. S. R

Orr, Robt. L

Orr, Jas. P

Over, Tas. N

Piatt, Herbert H
Piper, Samuel..
Pendleton, Palmer
Phelps, D. E....

Pinney, N. J

Ross, David D...
Rue, Jos

Robinson, Samuel
Reppert, ^\'m. E.
Stevenson, Alfred

Aug.
Sept.
Sept.
Aug.
Sept.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.

22, 1862
3, 1864
3, 1864

1864
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1864
1 86.-?
1862
1862

1862
1862
1862
1862
1864
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1864
1862
1864
1862

Mar. 26, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 16, 1864

Aug. 26. 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aup-. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Sept. 3, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, I6U2

Promoted to ist Lieut. Co. G 184th Reg. P. V.,
April 29, 1864 — discharged, March 19, 1864, to ac-
cept commission.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 30, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's, certificate, July 13, 1863.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

'Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 4, 1864.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. May 27, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 6, 1863.

Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on writ of habeas corpus, Nov. 14, '62.

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., Tune 21, 1865.

Died at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 8, 1863— burial
record, Feb. 23, 1863— buried in National Ceme-
tery.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865— veteran.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Not on muster-out roll.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged by General Orders, July !■;. 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 21, 1863.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D — date imknown.

Transferred to Co. A — date vmknown.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Deserted, Aug. 3, 1864.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Prisoner from Dec. 24, 1863, to Fe6. 18, 1865 — dis-
charged by General Orders, June 19, 1865.

Transferred to Co. C^date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Clustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

764 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Snyder, B. C j

Sellers, Francis B. i

Sharp, John A |

Snowden, J. M.. . |
Sellman, Samuel..

Shaner, F. M

Skillen, Samuel..
Shaw, Milton E.. j

Tarr, Wm |

Torbert, John....
Tintsman, J. O...
Tucker, Thos. B.

Taylor, Robt. R..

Varic, Jacob S

Vance, Harry M.
Waychoflf, J. D...
Woodwell, Jas. S.
Worrell, Isaac I..
Willis, Thos. D...
Wagner, F. M....
Watson, Robt. J..
Wallace, Wm. H.

Wassell, Wm

Wallace, Peter G.
Wilson, Selden L.
Wightman, H. B. .
Weller, Chas. F .

Watt, Geo. D

Weir, Samuel

Yocum, Geo. P.. . :
Yeager, Wm. R...

Private

...do....

...do....

...do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....

....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do ...
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
...do....
...do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....

Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
June 10, 1864
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Sept. 16, 1864
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

REMARKS.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 11, 1863.
I Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 24, 1863.

Discharged by Special Order, Dec. 21, 1862.
\ Deserted, Nov. 11, 1862.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
I Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged for promotion, April 5, 1863.

Died at Carlisle, Pa., Oct. 31, 1862.

Discharged, Sept. 8, 1863, on Surgeon's certificate
of disability.

Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.
j Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 24, 1863.

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., Tune 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co.; June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Deserted, Nov. 11, 1862.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.
: Transferred to Co. L— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.
, Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.

COMPANY G.

Jas. Quinn

H. M'Allister, Jr

H. S. Lingle.

Samuel Phillips..
E. Middleton, Jr

M. L. Jones.

Richard Pancoast (
John W. Bowen..

Wilfred K. Keely

J. R. Lonabaugh.

R. W. Brownlee..

Samuel C. Stout..

Captain
....do....

...do....

ist Serg.

O. M. Serg.

do

Com. Sr. . .

do

Sergeant

do

do

Nov. 30, i86i
Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. ?, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 3. 1S62

Aug. 22,
Aug.

Aug. 22,

Aug.

Aug.

Aug. 22,

Promoted from Serg. Anderson Cavalry, March i,
1863— discharged, May 8, 1863.

Promoted from ist Serg. Co. L to ist Lieut.,
March i, 1863— to Capt., May 8, 1863— commis-
sioned Maj., June i, 1865 — not mustered — mus-
tered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted from private to ist Serg., March l 1863
—to ist Lieut., May 8, 1863— killed at Mossy
Creek, Tenn., Dec. 29, 1863.

Promoted from Serg. Maj., July 22, 1864— mustered
out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted from private to Serg., March i, 1863— to
ist Serg., May 8, 1863 — commissioned 2d Lieut.,
May 29, 1865 — not mustered — mustered out with
Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., May 14, 1863— to Q. M. Serg.,
June 5, 1863— mustered out with Co., June 21, '65.

Discharged by Special Order, May 11, 1863.

Promoted to Corp., May 14, 1863— to Com. Serg.,
May I, 1864— mustered out with Co., June 21, '65.

Promoted to Com. Serg., March i, 1863— to Reg.
Q. M. Serg.. July 17, 1863.

Promoted from private, March i, 1863— mustered
out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— to Serg., March
28, 1864— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— to Serg., Nov.
II, 1864— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 765

John Pinkerton.. Sergeant , Aug. 30, 1862

K. P. Dennis

Albert T. Clark..

Chas. B. Magee..

Geo. W. S. Allen

D. E. Phelps

E. W. Dysart

Alfred Woodward

Jas. W. Over

Chas. Pugh

W. Hergesheimer

Albert Foulkes...

J. F. Macfarland.

John M. Elliott...
"Kobt. B. Kerr....

Bates D. Spencer
J. L. B. Sherrick

Cary M. Keys

Jacob Boward....
Geo. H. Kline....

Arvecost, Jos

Alt, Geo

Alexander, E. P..
Alexander, C. H.
Anderson, Wm. . .

Anderson, J. P

Arnold, Robt. P..

Antes, F. T

Boggs, S. R

Beck, Wm. D

Brower, Rush

Barnett, Allen J..
Benson, Isaac S..
Brownlee, M. P..
Beck, Chas. £....
Beck, Theo. F....

Bigler, E. D

Biggert, Henry...
Bratton, Geo. W.

Crum, John H

Cox, Abraham

Callahan, John C.
Clark, Chas. S....
Carrier, Arthur J.
Cottre'll, Wm

Cochran, Tas

Crawford, F. M...
Campbell, W. P..
Duff, Thos. C...
Donohoe, John...

Detra, John P

Des Granges, C. C.
Dunseath, D., Jr.

Dunlap, D. H

Denning, Wm. J.
Dyott, Thos. W..
Forsvthe, C. E....

....do

....do

....do

....do

Corporal

....do

....do

....do

....do

....do

....do

....do

....do

....do

....do

Bugler

....do

Farrier
Saddler
Private

....do

....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....

. . ..do

....do....
....do....
....do....
...do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....

....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
....do....
...do....
....do....
....do....
....do....

Aug. 30, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1S62

Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862

Oct.
Oct.
May
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Oct.
Aug.
Sept.
Aug.
Mar.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Oct.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Oct.

10, 1862
3, 1862
13, 1863
22, 1862
22, 1862

30. 1862
22, 1862
22, 1862

3, 1862
22, 1862
28, 1864
19, 1864

31, 1864
22, 1862
22, 1862
22, 1S62
22, 1862
22, 1862
22, 1862

3> 1862
22. 1862
19, 1864
22, 1862
6, 1S62
3. 1862
3. 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Mar. 31, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 16, 1864

mustered out
I, 1864 — mustered out
I, 1864 — mustered out

1865 — mustered out

1865 — mustered out

1865— mustered out

186^ — mustered out

Promoted to Corp., Oct. 19, 1863— to Serg., March
16, 1865 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged for promotion, Feb. 18, 1864.

Promoted from private, Oct. 30, 1862— discharged,
on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 14, 1863.

Promoted to Corp., June 5, 1863 — to Serg., March
16, 1865 — transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Promoted from private, May is, 1863 — died in
I Delaware County, Pa., Aug. 20. 1863.
[Promoted to Corp., Aug.

with Co., June 21, 1865.
I Promoted to Corp., Nov.
i with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., Nov.
i with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865 — mustered out
with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., March 16,
with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., March 16,
with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., March 16.
with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., March 16,
with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, June 27, '64.

Promoted to Corp., Oct. 30, 1862— discharged on
; Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 26, 1863.

Died at Wilkins' crossroads, Tenn., Jan. 29, 1863.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
[Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
[Promoted to Reg. Saddler, Aug. 16, 1863.
[Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
[Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H— date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1S65.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mvistered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
[Deserted, Dec. 7, 1862.

[Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., April 16, 1863.
[Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
I Transferred to Co. D — date vmknown.

Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.
; Transferred to Co. I^— date unknown.
I Not on muster-out roll.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 17, '63.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 10, '63.

Discharged by Special Order, Aug. 16, 1864.

Transferred to \'eteran Reserve Corps, April 30,

1864 — discharged, by General Orders, July 3,
Deserted, Nov. 7, 1862.
Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 30,
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Deserted — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Discharged by General Orders, June 23, 1865.

1865.

[863.

766 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Fenimore, Jas. S.

Fox, Jos

Fcrseman, J. H. . .

Fame, Edw

Franklin, Geo. P.
Griffiths, H. G...

Gordon, Robt

Cemmill, John P.
Godshall, A. R...

Gay, John W

Gable, Wm

Gow, Alex. O

Harper, Wm. H..
Hammell, Jos. L.
Houlsworth, Jas..
Hammell, R. W..
Horner, John D..
Kitchens, A. G...
Hartranft, Abra'm

Hunt, E. H

Heberton, H. D.

Hagey, A. O

Johnson, H. C

Johnson, Jafus. . . .

Jones, I. B

Johnston, John B.
Johnston, E. VV..
Jones, Thos. A...

Jenkins, C. R

Jones, Hugh R...
Kreps, Wm. A. . .
Kreider, John B. .
Krouse, John L. .
Kear, Richard C

Luster, Chas

Lang, Geo. L

Lingle, L. G

Lonabaugh, J. E.
Lewis, Josiah

Lescure, Edw. J..
Laughridge, T. A.
Lloyd, Jas. H....
Moore,^ Wm. S. . .
Magonegal, M. E.
Milligan, Samuel.
Milligan, J. H....
Moredock, John..!

Mann, Chas

Momeyer, J. G. . .

Miller, E. S !

Morris, Oscar B..

Meals, Jos

Morton, N. A

Mullen, Jas

Miller, D. M

Mooredock, W. B.

Milligan, J. B

Moore, A." L

Marnard, C. H...
Morgan, H. W....

Morris, A. C

Murphy, Jas. F...

Markley, Aug

Mason, H. F

Mecke, Geo. K...

Moore, H. A

M'Cutcheon, A. C.

Private
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
. .do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....

Aug. 22, 1862

Dec. 31, 1863
Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 10, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Sept. 16, 1864
Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 23, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 10, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Sept. 7, 1864
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct'. 3, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 3. 1862
Sept. 14, 1864
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 19, 1964
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Dec. 12, 1863
Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 6, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Sept. 2S, 1864
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 22. 1862
Aug. 22. 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Apr. 30. 1864

Dec.
Oct.
Aug.
Sept.

1862

1862

Oct. 10,

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Sept. 9, 1864

REMARKS.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 6, 1863.

Deserted, April 27, 1864.

Transferred to Co. E— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate— date unknown.

Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., April i, 1863.

Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., June 18, 1863.

Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
j Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
j Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. May 18, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate;^ Feb. 12, 1865.

Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.
! Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
I Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
. Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 7, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Died at Nashville, Tenn., August 23, 1863 — burial
recorded July 27, 1863 — buried in National Ceme-
tery— section D, grave 416.
I Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
I Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.
, Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
''• Mustered out with Co., June 21^ 1865.
[ Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
I Prisoner from Dec. 24, 1863, to April 21, 1865 — dis-
charged, June 2d, to date May 18, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
! Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 18, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Aug. 6, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, July 14, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 25, 1863.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Died at Chattanooga, Tenn., March 31, 1865.
Died at Huntsville, Ala., Feb. 12, 1865.
Died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 29, 1864 — buried
I in National Cemetery — grave 127.
Deserted, Nov. 7, 1862.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Miisier Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 767

M'Carty, Boyd J..
M'Kinney, David.

M'Canii, John

M'Kimens, H

Newbecker, P. J. .
Norman, Sol. H..

O'Neil, Wm

Over, David A...
Owens, Jas. T....
Oliver, Jas. M....
Pugh, John R....
Painter, Ezekiel..
Pafnter, Jas. K...

Pile, Robt

Palmer, Edw. L. . .

Pinnev, N. J

Piatt, 'H. H

Petty, Geo. M....
Paterson, E., Jr...
Quinn, Michael...
Roberts, Henry E.

Reid, John J

Ramsden, E. M..
Reed, Lewis G...
Ramage, Tohn H.
Riehle, Henry B.

Ryan, Milton

Ramsey Alex., Jr.
Shope, Milton S..
Sagers, Harry C
Shoop, David C
Speer, Johnston..
Shortlidge, E. G .
Stough, Jos. S. ..
Stevens, Adie A..
Swope, Wm. H...
Stinemeyer, S. C.

Sherwood, M

Steffey, D. R

Sherk, Michael. ..
Smith, Michael...
Smith, Isaac C. ..
Stratton, Isaiah..

Showers, S. H

Scull, Daniel

Sale, Thos

Smith, T. H

Turner, Hugh O.
Trimble, Samuel.
Thompson, J. A..
Taylor, Anthony..
Turner, John F. .
Vandling, E. L. ..
Wilson, Walter G.
Weller, Chas. F..

Weir, Samuel

Warner, Chas. H.
Williams, J. H...

Wile, John H

Warg, Josiah

Watt, Geo. D

Woodwell, J. S...
Wright, John B..
Wilson, Hampton
Wallace, W. D....
Yerkes, Geo. S. ..

DATE OF MUSTER

RANK.

INTO

SERVICE.

Private

Oct.

10

1862

do

Oct.

3

1862

do

May

14

1864

do

Sept.

I

1864

do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

do

Oct.

3

1862

....do

Aug.

1862

do

Aug.

22

1862

....do....

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Oct.

10

1864

....do

Aug.

9

1864

....do

Aug.

24

1864

....do

Sept.

3

1864

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Oct.

3

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

24

1864

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Sept.

16

1864

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Sept.

6

1862

....do

Oct.

3

1862

....do

Oct.

3

1862

....do

Aug.

30

1862

....do

Aug.

9

1864

....do

Aug.

9

1864

....do

Sept.

3

1864

....do

Sept.

16

1864

....do

Sept.

28

:864

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Dec.

16

1863

....do

Mar.

31

1864

....do

Aug.

....do

Aug.

30

1862

....do

June

3

1864

....do....

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

30

1862

....do

Sept.

23

1864

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Sept.

6

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Au|.

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Oct.

10

1862

....do

Dec.

26

1863

....do

Oct.

25

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

1862

....do

Aug.

22

I8f2

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 8, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 13, i86j.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Died at Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 10, 1864— buried in
Marietta and Atlanta National Cemetery, Mari-
etta, Ga. — section A, grave -^i/.

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Absent, on detached service, at muster out.

Deserted, May 2, 1864.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged by General Orders, Feb. 9, 1865.

Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
: Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
■ Absent, on detached service, at muster out.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
: Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 23, 1863.

Discharged for promotion, Feb. 5, 1863.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged by General Orders, July 7, 1865.

JVlustered out with Co., June 21, i86,v

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to U. S. A., Oct. i, 1862.

Transferred to Co. A. June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Deserted, Dec. 7, 1862.

Deserted, June 24, 1864.

Deserted, June 18, 1864.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Absent, sick, at muster out.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L--date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

uischarged for promotion, Dec. 31, 1862.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Captured at Dandridge, Tenn., Dec. 24, 1863 — died
at Andersonville, Ga., Oct. i, 1864.

Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

768 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

COMPANY H.

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER
INTO SERVICE.

Alfred Vezin

Edw. Sellers

Captain

Mar.
Aug.

I,
22,

1863
1862

Alex. M. Parker. .

ist Lieut.

Nov.

30,

1861

Caleb M. Keppart

do

Nov.

30,

1861

Wm. M. Field...

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Josiah C. Reiff...

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Theo. F. Ramsey.

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Geo. S. Yerkes...

I St Serg.

Aug.

22,

1862

Oscar W. Vezin..

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Jos. R. Thomas do

Samuel Phillips do

J. W. Caldwell... Q.M. Serg.
Geo. W. Lukens.. ■ Com. Sr.
Robt. Sowersbj'. . ; Sergeant

Angelo Wiser do

Fred. T. Antes do

Thos. J. M'Call do

Jacob G. Henvis do

Edw. C. Parry do

Chas. A. Laws do

Abel Turner I Corporal

Samuel Hewitt do

Francis J. Ouinn do

^^'m. T. Nieman do

'Jas. H. Castle do

W. F. Jamison do

Jos. L. Seymour do

Howard Harbert. i do

S. A. Watson do

W. W. Crumpton. i do

R. H. Jordan j Bugler

Rotert, Kincaid..; Farrier
Adair, Jas. M ' Private

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 10, 1862
Aug. 30, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

Oct.

1862

Aug. 30, 1862
Aug. 30, 1862
Oct. 10, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 30, 1862

Discharged, May 8, 1863.

Promoted from Serg. Maj., May 8, 1863 — resigned,

March 6, 1865.
Promoted from private Anderson Troop, Oct. 10,

1862 — resigned, Feb. 27, 1863.
Promoted from private Anderson Troop, March i,

1863— discharged, May 8, 1863.
Promoted from Reg. Com. Serg., May 8, 1863—

resigned, Dec. i, 1864.
Promoted from Serg. Maj., Jan. 20, 1865 — to Adjt.,

March 13, 1865.
Promoted from Q. M. Serg. Co. M, March 13,

1865 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863 — to Serg., April

II, 1863 — to 1st Serg., Aug. 25, 1863— commis-
sioned 2d Lieut., May 29, 1865— not mustered—

mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Serg. Oct. 30, 1862 — to ist Serg.,

March i, 1863 — discharged for promotion, March

6, 1863.
Prompted to Serg., March i, 186.3— to ist Serg

March 8, 1863— to 2d Lieut. Co.

P. v., Sept. 10, 1863.

A, i8oth Reg.

1863— to Serg.

mustered

Promoted to ist Serg., March

Maj., May 8, 1863.
Promoted from private, March i, 1863-

out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted from private, March i, 1863— mustered

out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., April 11, 1863— to Serg., Aug.

25, 1863— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., June 4, 1863— to Serg., May 4,

1864 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., May i, 1864— to Serg., Nov.

29, 1864 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 29, 1864— to Serg., March

16, 1865- mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp. and to Serg., March 16, 1865—

mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., May 14, 1863— to Serg., June

I, 1863— discliarged on Surgeon's certificate, Nov.

27, 1863.
Promoted to Serg., Oct. 30, 1862— deserted, Dec.

14, 1862.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 29, 1864— mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865— mustered out
• • " ' 1865.

March 16, 1865— mustered out
1865,

with Co., June 21,

Promoted to Corp.,

with Co., June

Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865— mustered out

with Co., Ju
Promoted to Corp.,
with Co., June 21,

1865.

March 16, 1865 — mustered out
- - . . . 1865.

Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865— mustered out
with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865 — mustered out
with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., Oct. 30, 1862— discharged on
Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 11, 1863.

Promoted to Corp., June 4, 1863— transferred to Co.
I nth Reg. V. R. C. — date unknown— discharged
by General Orders, July 7, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., May 14, 1863— died at Alle-
gheny City, Pa., Dec. 27, 1863.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsyhaiiia Cavalry. 769

REMARKS.

Andrews, M., Jr. .

Anderson, M

Beachley, Samuel.

Bond, Edw

Brown, J. E

Buchite, John A.

Baker, Henry

Baker, M. H

Bannan, John N..
Bailey, Samuel...

Beall, Wm. L

Bader, Chas

Barnes, John

Barnes, \V. H....

Boice, E. H

Branthover, L. L.
Brannan, J. W. . . .
Bratton, Wm. L..
Brown. Wni. J....
Cummingrs, Al. B.

Colton, M. B

Cochenotir, Wm..

Clapp, T. E

Cummings, H. M.
Chadwick, S. F. ..
Chritzman. G. A..
Crump, Albert ?I.
Crawford. W. H..
Crumpton, R. D..
Chainbers, W. II.

Currin, M'. J

Cunningham. T...

Duncan, J. H

Denning, Wm. J.
Dunlap, David H.
Davidson. W. W.

Deemer. A. P

De Bree, Wm

Edwards, Oliver..

Fox, John W

Fisher, W'm

Fox, Chas. II

Fish, Enhraim...

Fisher, Geo

French, T. \'

Flcoa. theo

Greenawalt. S. M.
Gummev, W. T...
Goodenoueh. D...

Gulley, N: D

Glendenning. W..

Griffith, E^ E

Hartmsn, Samuel.

Haney, John

Houston,. Jos

Houston, Samuel
Houston, John...
Humphrey, Tho^.

Hill, Geo. H

Hagey, A. .().....
Henderson, D. W

Huston, Robt

Harley. J. M

Henry, A. S

Hastings. John...
Hurst, Jas. P

Private
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...

....do...
....do...
....do...
,...do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...
....do...

...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...

Aug.
Oct.
Sept.
Oct.
Aug.
Sept.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Mar.
Feb.
Oct.
Apr.
Apr.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Oct.
Aug.
AusT.
Aug.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
Oct.
Aug.
Oct.
July
Oct.

Aug.
Apr.
Oct.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Oct.
Oct.
Sept.
Apr.
Oct.

30, 1862

18, 1862

7, 1864

ic, 1862

22, 1862

7, 1864

16, 1864

16, 1864

22, 1862

1 8, 1864

13, 1864

IC, 1862

■z, 1864

2, 1864

10. 1862

30; 1862

22, 1862

22. 1862

18, 1862
22, 1862
22, 1862

19, 1864
IP, 1862

6, 1862

22, 1862

18, 1862

30, 1862

15, 1862

16. 1863
10, 1862

30, 1862

2, 1864

3, 1862
22, 1862
22, 1862
30, 1862
30. 1862
10, 1862

3, 1862

2?, 1864

16, 1863

18, 1862

Oct. 4, 1864

Aug. 22, 1S62

Oct. 20, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. ig, 1864

Aug. 30, 1862

Oct. 18, 1864

Aug.
Aug.
Sept.
Sept.
Oct.
Oct.
Aug.
Oct.
Sept.
Aug.
Aug.
Feb.
May
Sept.
Aug.
Aug.

30, 1862

30, 1862

6, 1862

I, 1864

3'. 1862

25, 1864

3, 1862

I, 1864

22, 1862

22, 1862

23, 1864
17, 1864

6, 1862

22, 1862

30, 1862

1865.
1865.

1863.

14, 1863.

1863.
1864.
1864.
1863.

j Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

Not on muster-out roll.
I Mustered out with Co., Jvine 21,
i Mustered out with Co., June 21,

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., Tune 21, 1S65.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 14

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1S65.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1S65 — veteran.

Deserted. May t, 1863.

Xever joined Co.

.\ever joined Co.
I Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Apr

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Alustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1S65.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1S65.
i Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 11,
: Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Alarch 2,
I Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 11,
I Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 24,
j Discharged for promotion, Dec. 26, 1862.
I Discharged for promotion, Jan. 16, 1863.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Died at !Murfreesboro, Tenn., June 28, 1863 — buried
I in National Cemetery, Stone River, grave 94.
j Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Not on muster-out roll.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
j Discharged by General Orders, May 18, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, July 23, 1S63.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 22, 1S63.
[Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 16, 1863.
i Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
I Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. Feb. 29, 1863 —
died Slarch i, 1S63 — buried in National Ceme-
tery, Nashville, Tenn.

Transferred to Co. A — June 21, 1865.
! Transferred to Co. C— June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. M— June 21, 1865.

Not on muster-out roll.
{ .Mustered out with Co., June 21. 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 31, 1863.

Transferred to Co. A— June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A— June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June

Mustered out with Co., June

Discharged by General Order

Absent, sick, at muster out.

Mustered out with Co., June

-Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
j Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 24 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 24, 1863.

Transferred to Co. A— June 21 1S65.

Deserted — date unknown.

Deserted, May i, 1863.

Deserted, Oct. 12, 1862.

Charge of desertion removed, and absent without
I proper authority from Feb. 15, 1863 to Sept. 11,

1865

19, 1865.

1865.

45

770 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Horn, Tohn

Hilty, Jos

Hartman, D. H...
Hunter, David A.
Henry, Samuel R.
Harrison, J. H...

Hiltner, E. L

Tones, Geo. W. . .

Private
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....

Job, John J

Johnson, D. C

Jones, E. B

Krapps, Adam 1 .

Kinsev. C. F

do

Kinse^•, E. W. . . •

do

Kin-s;ey, Jos. T..

do

Kidney, Geo

do

Kintigh, A. R..-.

do

Kelly, R. L

do....

Kline. Geo. H....

.... do

Leedom. Isaac...

do

Lea.sure. W. H...

do

Logan, H. L

do

Latcham, Geo. K.

do

do

Laws, Geo. C

do

Minor, Andrew J.

do

Miller. -NVm. T....

do

Meaner, Elias D.

do

Murohev, Tas. F..

do

Marker, Aut. W.

do

Martin, Jas. R....

do

Mason, Herrv T.

do

Mears, E. P.. Jr.

do

Mewherter, B. F

do

Megee, Andrew J.

do

Moore, W. S

do

Magee, Chas. B..

do

Magee, Edward...

do

Mover, Chas

do

Martin, John

do

M'Nav, N. B

do

M'Clelland, T. D.

do

M'Farrell, Henrv

do

M'Connell, O. T..
M'Carter, C. T...
Noffsinger. Alex..
Nonnes, Jas. C...
Noffsinger. F. J..

Newman. \\'. H..

Owens, Tas. T

Oliver, Daniel W.
Oliver, Jas. M....

Over, David A...

Price, Tos. D

Patterson, E. Jr..

Pvle, Tas. M

Paulding, M. J...
Pinkerton, John.
Ramsey, Alex., Tr
Rockev. Benj. B..

Aug. 3C, 1862

Aug. ,30, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Oct. ID, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Mar. 18, 1864

Mar. 18, 1864

Oct. 31, 1864.

Oct. 5, 1864

Sept. 6, 1S62

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 6, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Sept. I, 1S64

Sept. I, 1864

Aug. 27, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 186^

Oct. in, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 18. 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Dec. 23, 1863

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 16, 1864

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 15, 1862

Sept. 6, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 18P2

Aug. 22, 1S62

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 10, lSf2

Aug. 22, i8f2

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Promoted to 2d Lieut looth Reg. U. S. C. T., Dec.

8, 1863— to ist Lieut. looth Reg. U. S. C. T., July

9, 1864—10 Capt., Oct. 21, 1865— mustered out Dec.
26, 1865.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Promoted to ist Lieut. 67th Reg. U. S. C. T., Feb.

24, 1864 — mustered out with 92d Reg. U. S. C. T.,

Dec. 31, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, i£65.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, i£65.
Killed at Stone River, Tenn., Dec. 29, 1862 — buried

in National Cemetery, Nashville.
Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Discharged by General Orders, June 27, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 2, 1863.
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, April 22,

1S64 — discharged by General Orders, June 30, 1865.
Deserted, Oct. 12, 1862.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Clustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out witli Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 17, 1863.
Discharged for promotion, July 5, 1864.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, iNIarch 28, 1S63.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 21, 1863'.
Died, Feb. 22, 1863 — buried in National Cemetery,

Nashville, Tenn., section B, grave 169.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. G— date unknown.
Not on muster-out roll.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Nov. 13, 1SC3.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Died at Jefl:ersonville, Ind., Feb. 27, 1865— buried in

National Cemetery, New Albany, section B,

grave 473-
Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
Substitute — mvistered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, July 7, 1863.
Deserted, Jan. i, 1863 — returned May 4, 1864 — trans-
ferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. Iv — date unknown.
Discharged bv General Orders, June :$, 1865.
Discharged by Special Order, May 7, 1864.
Drowned in Tennessee River, at Chattanooga,

Tenn., Nov. 22, 1863.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged for promotion, Dec. 20, 1862.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Discharged by General Orders, Aug. 8, 1865.
Absent, sick, at muster out.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Peiuisyk^ania Cavalry. 771

Rudolph, David..
Ramage, John H.
Reeder, VV. DeH.

Raymond, D. L. .
Rosenberg, John.
Rickey, Jas. L.. . .

Rhodes, C. A

Roberts, Samuel.

Rahn, Oscar

Reynolds, J. B...

Schieule, J. G

Snowden, J. M...
Sinclair, John C
Stewart, W. H. D.
Simpson, Tos. W.
Stockton, T. H..
Sherrick, T. I.. B.

Sheffler, Levi

Sloan, W. C

Sloan, Robt. E...

Swartz, \Vm

Sanford. Jas. \\'..
Stout, Samuel C.
Sellers, Chas. P...
Streuble, Lott J..
Taylor, \Vm. S...
Tompkins, F. S. .
Trimble, Samuel.

Vantague, Jas

Wiley, Jas. H....
Walter, Labanna.

Wise, Alfred

Woodward, Alfred
Williams, J. A. B.
Young, Jacob P..

DATE OF MUSTEK

Private

Sept. 7,

1864

do

Aug. 22,

1862

do

Aug. 22,

1862

do

Oct. 5,

1864

do

May 17.

1864

do

Aug. 30,

1862

do

Oct. 18,

1862

do

Aug. 22,

1S62

do

Aug. 22,

1862

do

Sept. 6,

1862

do

Oct. 10,

1862

do

Aug. 22,

1862

do

Aug. 22,

1862

do

Aug. 30,

1862

do

Aug. 22,

1862

do

Aug. 22,

1862

do

Oct. 3,

1862

do

Aug. 30,

1862

do....

Aug. 22,

1862

do

Aug. 25,

1862

do

Oct. 10,

1862

do

Oct. 10,

1862

do

Aug. 22,

1862

do

Aug. 22,

1862

do

Aug. 30.

1862

do

Sept. 28,

1864

do

Aug. 22,

1862

do

Aug. 30,

1S62

do

Oct. 31,

1864

do

Sept. I,

1864

do

Sept. I,

1864

do

Aug. 30,

1862

do

Aug. 22,

1862

do

Oct. 10,

1862

do

Aug. 22,

1862

REMARKS.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 9, 1863.
Promoted to Hospital Steward, U. S. A., Aug. 23,

1S64.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Deserted— date unknown.
Died at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 16, 1864— burial

record, Dec. 16, 1863 — buried in National Ceme-

terv, section D, grave 351.
Deserted, Dec. 26, 1862.
Deserted, Nov. i, 1862.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's cerlificate. May 9, 1863.
Discharged by Special Order, Sept. 7, 1S64.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 9, 1S63.
Transferred to \'eterau Reserve Corps, Dec. 12, '63.
Killed at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, i8e2.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E! — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Promoted to Hospital Steward, Nov. i, 1862.
Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Signal Corps, March ig, 1864.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Absent, sick, at muster out.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.

COMPANY I.

Braden Hurst

Joseph Anderson.
\\. W. DeWitt...

Fran'K E. Remont
Roland Seeger...
Stuart Logan

Edward C. Smith.

Seldon L. Wilson

John F. Conaway

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER

INTO Service.

Captain

Nov.

30,

1861

do

Nov.

30,

1861

do

Nov,

30,

i86r

do ....

Aug.

22,

1862

ist Lieut.

Nov.

30.

1861

do

Oct.

9,

lSf2

do

Aug.

22,

1862

ist Serg.

Aug.

22,

1862

do

Aug.

22,

1862

REMARKS.

Promoted from private Anderson Troop, Oct. 10,
1862 — resigned, Feb. 27, 1863.
j Promoted from Serg. Anderson Troop, March i,

1863— discharged. May 8. 1863.
! Promoted from private Anderson Troop to ist
Lieut., March i, 1863, to Capt., May 8, 1863—
resigned, July 17, 1864.
Promoted from ist Lieut. Co. K, Aug. 15, 1864—
j mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted from private Anderson Troop, Oct. 30,
! 1862— resigned, Feb. 27, 1863.

Promoted to Serg., March i, 1863— to ist Serg.,
i April 12, 1863— to ist Lieut., May 8, 1863— dis-
charged, June 6, 1864.
i Promoted from Serg. Co. F to ist Serg., May i,
1863— to ist Lieut., July 22, 1864— mustered out
I with Co., June 21, 1865.

] Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— to Serg., July

21, 1864— to ist Serg., Jan. 21, 1865— commissioned

I 2d Lieut., May 29, 1865— not mustered— mustered

out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., Oct. 30, 1862— to Com. Serg.,

March i, 1863— to ist Serg., July 23, 1864— to Serg.

' Maj., Jan. 21. 1865.

772 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

A. G. Spidle O. AI. Serg.

Frederick Spang.
Samuel Skillen...
David C. King...
Milton E. Shaw..
James Conaway...
George E. Stone.

Adam Kramer

John M. Sease...
Charles H. Fritz..
Demus L. !McVay
W. B. Crawford..

S. B. Euwer

Clark Denney

A.LeRoy Hawkins

S. Murphy, Jr....

G. J. French

A. C. Miller

Edward Milligan.
Daniel L. Estle..

Alexander, G

Armor, K. R

Aaamson, John..

Abbey, S. A

Allison, Eben

Anderson, J. L...

Bennett, J. A

Brown, Rudolph..
Babbitt, W. T...

Bover, J. R

Burr, William C.

Bishop, J. C

Bell, John H

Buttorf, John \V.

Barr, Samuel...
Baldwin. W. H.

Borst, W. W

Boggs, John C...
Barnhart, David..
Bradford. C. H...

Buzby, H. A

Burke, J. R

Cole, Thomas

Craig, Arthur H..
Chilton, H. J

Com. Sr.

Sergeant

....do

....do

....do

....do

....do

Corporal
....do,
....do,
....do,
....do.
....do.
....do.

....do.
....do.
Bugler
Farrier
....do...

T. M. Hathaway.. ' Saddle

Private
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....
...do....

...do....
...do....

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 30, 1862
Sept. 6, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 9, 1S62
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 30, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 26, 1864

Oct. 10, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 16, 1864

.Sept. 22, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Oct. s, 1864
Aug. 30, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Sept. 6, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Aug. 19, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

1863— mustered

Promoted to Q. M. Serg., No

out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— to Com. Serg.,

July 21, 1864— mustered out with Co., June 21, '65
Promoted to Serg., Oct. 30, 1862— mustered ou

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., April i, 1863— to Serg., Nov

10, 1864 — mustered out with Co. June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., July 23, 1864— to Serg., Jan. 21,

1865 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Aug. 17, 1864— to Serg., Jan,

21, 1865 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
i Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, 1864 — to Serg., March

16, 1865 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted from private, Oct. 30, 1862 — to 1st Lieut

Co. B, March i, 1863.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, i

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Jan. 21, i

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Jan. 21, i

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 15, :

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 15, ;

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, :

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 12, 1863 — to Lieut, i

Reg. U. S. C. T. — to Capt., Sept. s, 1865 — mus

tered out Jan. 21, 1866
Promoted to Corp., Nov. i, 1862 — discharged on

Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 35, 1863.
Promoted to Corp., No

colnton, N. C, April 18, 1865
Promoted to bugler, March i,

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to farrier, March i,

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to farrier, July i,

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to saddler, July i,
' with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June
; Discharged on Surgeon's Certificate, March 7, 1863
jDied at Stevenson, Ala., Oct. 22, 1863.
j Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Promoted to Hospital Steward — date unknown.
[Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
I Mustered out with Co., Tune 21, 1865.
Discharged by General Orders, May 20, 1865.
Discharged — date unknown.
Died at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 24, 1863 — buried

National Cemetery,
i Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865
Died at Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 22,

National Cemetery.
Died at Nashville, Tenn., Feb.

in National Cemetery.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to 2d Lieut. Co. K i52d Reg. P,

April 14, 1863.

; — mustered ou'

, — mustered ou

, — mustered ou-

5 — mustered ou

5 — mustered ou

^ — mustered ou

1864— killed at Lin
1863 — mustered ou
1863 — mustered ou'
1864 — mustered ou
1864 — mustered ou
1865.

1863-

-buried
53-buri

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 773

DATE OF MUSTEX

NAME.

RANK.

INTO

SERVICE.

Cretli, John E...

Private

Aug.

22

1862

Carr, Charles

do

Oct.

10

1862

Clarke, E. B

do

Aug.

22

1862

Craig, Frank

do

Nov.

3

1864

Castleman, Lewis

do

May

II

1864

Carlton, Charles..

do

Dec.

3

1863

Cozens, Smith D.

do

Seot.

6

1862

Copeland, Joseph.

do

Sept.

6

1862

Davis, W. H

do

Aug.

22

1862

Douglierty, Ed. J.

do

Sept.

2

1864

Duer, Jacob M...

do

Sept.

I

1864

Dunlap, W. A....

do

Aug.

22

1862

Dilks, Thomas S.

do

Sept.

6

1S62

Drinker, F. P....

do

Sept.

6

1862

DeGrant, H. R...

do

Aug.

22

1862

Daly, Stephen A.

do

Oct.

10

1862

Dick, Valentine..

do

Oct.

3

1862

Denis, G. P

do

Oct.

10

1862

Euler, G. W

do

Aug.

22

1862

Eckman, John W.

do

Oct.

10

1862

Fisher, Daniel

do

Aug.

22

1862

Fry, Vvilliam

do

Sept.

2

1864

Fame. Edward...

do

Aug.

22

1862

Foilon, Henry....

do

Mar.

31

1864

Foddell, John C.

do

Sept.

6

1862

Franklin, G. P....

do

Oct.

3

1862

Glunt, Obadiah...

do

Sept.

1

1864

Glunt, John

do

Sept.

2

1864

Gable, William...

Aug.

22

1862

Gant, Robert F. . .

do

Sept.

6

1862

Gadbury, ^^'illiam

do

Nov.

I

1864

Geddes^ Robert C.

do

SeDt.

6

1862

Gyger, Samuel S.

do

Sept.

6

1862

Ginn, Thomas

do

Oct.

10

1S62

Garbor, T. B., Jr.

do

Oct.

3

1862

Haines. J. G

do

Aug.

22

1862

Howard, A. P....

do

Aug.

22

1862

Hayden, C. L

Aug.

22

1862

Hammill, J. L....
Hudson, John

iiiiido!;;:;

Aug.

22

1862

do

June

3

1864

Harris, William.,

do

Oct.

7

1864

Hartzell, Edwin..

do

Aug.

30

1862

Hamihon. S. F...

do

Aug.

,,

1862

Hall, John W...

do

Sept.

6

1862

Hanson, G. H

do

Oct.

3

1862

Horn, Abraham..

do

Oct.

3

1862

Houstin, J. H....

do

Aug.

22

1862

Howard, G. W....

do

Sept.

6

1862

Hopkins, A. M...

do

Oct.

10

1862

Isett, Jacob H

do

Oct.

3

1862

Jackson, J. R

do

Aug.

1862

Johnson, W. F...

do

Oct.

ID

1862

Jones, George W.

do

Aug.

22

1862

Kerr, Jerome M..

do

Aug.

22

1862

Kuhn, Ballou

do

Sept.

2\

1864

Ketler, Charles C.

do

Sept.

6

1862

Karcher, H. W. H.

do

Oct.

IC

1862

Kinney, James...

do

Oct.

17

1S64

Kenney, James...

do

Oct.

17

1864

Kelsey, S. A

do

Aug.

22

1862

Kemmel, Jacob...

do

Oct.

10

1862

Lvnch, E. E

do

Oct.

10

1862

Lewis, J. K

do

Aug.

22

1862

Lewis, John N...

do

Aug.

22

1862

Discharged by Special Order, Oct. 26th, to date

Aug. 17, 1864.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Aug. 6, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 3, 1S63.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1S65.
Died at Huntsville. Ala., Feb. 15, 1865.
Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co. June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Absent, sick, at muster out.
Wounded in action, March 18, i?65— absent, in

hospital, at muster out.
Deserted, Feb. 9, 1863.
Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. G— date unknown.
Deserted — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21. 1865.
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, April ic, 64.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred, to Co. D^date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21. 1865.
Discharged by General Orders, May 14, 1865.
Promoted to 2d Lieut. loist Reg. U. S. C. T., Oct.

24, 1864— to I St Lieut., Sept. 18, 1865— mustered

out Jan. 21, 1866.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 18, 1863.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged by Special Order, April 6, 1864.
Discharged on Surgeon's Certificate, April 27, 1863.
Discharged by Special Order. March 29, 1864.
Transferred to Co. A— June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A— June 21, 1865.
Died at Nashville. Tenn., Anril 17. 1863— burial

record, April it, 1863— buried in National Ceme-
tery, section E, grave 659.
Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. L— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co. June 21, 1865.
Not on muster-out roll.
Transferred to Co. H— date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co.. June 21, 1865.
Promoted to 2d Lieut. Co. D i8ist Reg. P. V.,

March 29, 1864.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 20, 1863.
Transferred to Co. A— June 21. 1865
Died at Chattanooga. Tenn., Dec. 15, 1864— buried

in National Cemetery, grave 2S2.
Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.
Discharged by Special Order, March 2, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Sept. 30, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. Sent. 5, 1863.

774 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Logan, W. R

Larzelere, W. H..
Levering, Abram.

Lamborne, E

Lyon, Arthur P..
Lush, William 11.
Martin, John A..
Milligan, Jonas..
Musselman, Jacob
Moore, C. R., Jr.

Michael, John

Moats, Josiah

Martin, John

Magonegal, Mich
Marple, E. W....

Miller, J. W

Milnne, Alex....,
M'Carter, C. T...

Aug. 22, 1862

M'Cane, Hugh...
M'Cann, Gabriel..
M'Donald, W. H.

Ney, John

Null, J. K

Nones, James C.
Parke, Daniel.
Pierce, W. H. H.
Potter, George D.

Phelan, J. T

Pohl, Edward J..
Price, Albert M...
Roberts, Richard.
Rogers, W. C.

Rudy, David

Richards, John . .

Rushton, W. L...
Robertson, John.
Shapley, Joseph..

Somers, Henry...
Stahl, Edward H.
Stamates, Jacob..

Stout, David

Stewart, C. H

Setzler, W. K....
Schaneid, John...
Smene, William..

Squires, J. C

Serill, Thomas

Sands, H. M

Sowerby, Robert.
Sunday, John....
Stees, Thomas \V.
Sands, Lawrence.

Super, Albert

Stewart, W. G....
Tallant, David...
Tweedale, John...

Taylor, T. 'B

Townsend, Geo...
Travice, \Villiam.
Topham, S. A....

Thorne, Harry

Wampler, S. E...
Weiler, Alfred....
M'rightman, H. B.

10, 1862

6, 1862

10, 1862

5, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Nov. 20, 1862

Oct. 5, 1864

May 14, 1864

Sept. 6, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862
Sept. 25,

Aug. 22, 1862

Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Aug. 31,
1S63— discharged by General Orders, July ic, 'b-,.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 9, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 18, 1S63.

Dropped from the rolls as deserter, Nov. i, 1863.

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
^Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, i&ts.

Absent, sick, at muster out.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 26, '63.

Discharged by Special Order, June 12, 1863.

Died at Louisville, Ky., Sept." 7, 1868— buried m
National Cemetery, section B, row 17, grave 5.

Dropped from the rolls as deserter, Nov. i, 1863.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Died at Nasliville, Tenn., Nov. 20, 1863 — burial
record, Nov. 12, 1863 — buried in National Ceme-
tery.

Dropped from the rolls as deserter, Nov. i, 1863.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I^ — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A — June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A — June 21, 1S65.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co. June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co. June 21, 1865.

Dropped from the rolls as deserter, Nov. i, 1S63.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknov n.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co. June 21. 1865.
: Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.'

Wounded and captured at Stone River, Tenn.,
! Dec. 30, 1862— died at Annapolis, Md., Feb. 11,
•■ 1863.

Transferred to Co. L — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21. 1865— commis-
sioned 2d Lieut. 2Sth Reg. U. S. C. T., Aug.
30, 1865 — mustered out, Dec. 6, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 9, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 2-I, 1863.

Dischpre-ed on Surgeon's certificate, July 20, 1863.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865."

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Promoted to hospital steward, Feb. 11, 1863.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged by Special Order, Feb. 28, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Oct. 17, 1863.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.
I Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
I Wounded in action, Oct. 7, 1864 — absent, in hos-
I pital. at muster out.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 775

1

1 DATE OF MUSTER

REMARKS.

Winter, W. H....

Private

Sept. 6,

1862

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 12,

1863.

Weigand, A. E...

do

Sept. s,

1862

Discharged lor promotion, July 15, 1863.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Wendler, Bernard

do

May 14,

1864

A\'aiters, Harry...

do

Oct. 10,

1862

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Winter, Emmor C

do

Oct. 10,

1862

Transferred to Co. E— date unknown.

^^•illiams, H. Clay

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.

Weatherv, T. C...

do

1862

Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.

Wentzler, Jacob..

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.

Walter, fohn

do

1862

Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.

Wright, G. W....

do

! Oct. 3,

1862

Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.

^^■ilkes, James....

do

! Oct. I

1862

Not accounted for.

White, T. G

do

1 Oct. 10,

1862

Transferred to Co. L— date unknown.

Woolston. A D...

do

! Aug. 22,

1862

Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.

Wilt, Tames A. . . .

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.

Youn^r, Jacob P..

do

Aug. 22,

1862

Mustered out with Co., Tune 21, 1S65.

Yocum, G. P

do....

1 Aug. 22,

I8f2

Captured at Stone River, Tenn., Dec. 30,
discharged by Special Order, June 29, 1864.

se2-

COMPANY K.

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER
INTO SERVICE.

Jacob R. Hewitt..

Captain

Nov. 30, 1S61

A. B. Garner

do

Oct. 3, 18^2

Chas. E. Scheide

do

Oct. 3, 1S62

Frank E. Remont

ist Lieut.

Aug. 22, 1862

N. M. Sample....

do

Oct. 3, 1862

M. M. Musser...

ist Serg.

Oct. 3, 1S62

W. W. Blackmar.

do

Aug.

30, 1862

T. H. Smith

0. M. Serg.

Aug.

22, 1862

J. Lingerfield

Com. Sr.

Oct.

3, 1862

John C. Wilson..

Sergeant

Oct.

3, 1862

James Agnew

do

Oct

3, 1S62

Jacob H. Isett...

do

Oct.

3, 1862

James H. Sherts.

do

Oct.

.3. 1862

Jacob AA'entzler...

do

Aug.

22, 1862

Henry C. Potts...

do

Oct.

3, 1862

Sealy S. Byard...

do

Aug.

3C, 1S62

W. II. Small

Corporal

Aug.

22, 1862

James A. Ivenney

do

Sept

6, 1862

REMARKS.

Promoted from private Anderson Troop, Oct. 10,

1862 — resigned, Feb. 27, 1863.
Promoted from ist Serg., May 8, 1863— to iNIaj.,

:March 13, 1S65.
Promoted from Adjt., March 13, 1865— mustered

out with Co., Tune 21, iSfj.
Promoted from 'Serg, Co. C, May 8, 1863— to Capt.

Co. I, .-\ue. 15, 1864.
Promotea from private to O. M Serg., March i,

1863— to ist Serg., March 16, 1864— to ist Lieut.,

Nov. 8, 1864 — mustered out with Co., June 21, '65.
Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863—10 Serg., May in,

1S63 — to ist Serg., Jan. i, 1865 — commissioned 2d

Lieut., Mav 29, 1865 — not mustered — mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted from Corp. to Serg., J\Iarch i, 1863—

to ist Ser^., May 5, 1863— to Lieut, ist Reg.

W. \'a. Cav., March 15, 1864 — discharged as

Capt., July 8. 1865.
Promoted to Corp., June 4, 1863—10 O. M. Serg.,

March 16, 1864— mustered out with Co., June 21,

1865.
Promoted from private, March i, 1863— mustered

out wi»h Co., June 21, 1865.
Promote'd to Corp., Oct. 30, 1862— to Serg., March

I, 1863 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863—10 Serg., May

IS, 1863 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Oct. 30, 1862— to Serg., Feb. 5,

1865 — mustered o.ut with Co., June 21, 1865.

May 15, 1863— to Serg., Fe
1865 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Promoted to Corp., May

Promoted to Corp.. Nov. 29, 1864 — to Serg., March

15, 1865 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted from Corp., Co. L, March i, 1863 —

discharged March 16, 1863.
Promoted from Serg., Oct. 30. 1862 — discharged on

Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 27, 1863.
Promoted to Corp., April i, 1864 — mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Feb. s, 1865 — mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.

7/6 Muster Roll of ths Fifteenth. Pennsylvania Cavalry.

DATE OF MUSTER

NAME.

R.\NK.

INTO

SERVICE.

A. H. Robinson.

Corporal

Oct.

3,

ise2

Benj. Bartram..

do

Oct.

3,

isea

Joseph Copeland.

do

Sept.

6,

1862

Jacob \V. Miller..

do

Oct.

10,

1862

X. B. Briggs

do

Aug.

22,

1862

John P. Gemmill

do....

Aug.

22,

1862

W. M. Mordock.,

Bugler

Oct.

3,

1862

G. W. Wright....

do...

Oct.

3.

1S62

J. K. Parshall....

Blacksm'h

Oct.

3,

1S62

William M'Gee...

Saddler

Oct.

10.

1862

Askwith. J. D....

Private

Sept.

28,

186 i

Adamson, John..

do

Aug.

3°,

1862

Arvecost, Joseph.

do

Oct.

3-

l.Sfi2

Burke, Joseph R

do....

Oct.

3,

1862

Beck. Henry L..

do

Aug.

30,

1862

Burson, David...

do

Aug.

30.

l8f2

Burchnell, W. K.

do

Oct.

3.

1862

Bums, Andrew S.

do

Aug.

i8.

1864

Barnett, J. P

do

Oct.

10,

1862

Brooks, William..

do....

Aug.

3'^,

1862

Bell, Joseph

do

Aug.

30,

1862

Bell, John H

do

Aug.

30,

1S62

Brown, Geo. E...

do

Oct.

3,

1862

Bond, Edward

do

Oct.

1862

Beitz, A. O

do....

Aug.

'e;

1864

Campbell, W. P..

do

Oct.

1862

Cleversione, D...

do

Sept.

24,

1864

Clark, Adrian S.

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Carr, Charles

do....

Oct.

10,

1862

Clark. Edward B.

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Cholette, C. M...

do

Aug.

30,

1862

Cover, Michael...

do

Tune

4,

1864

Crawford, E. E. . .

do....

Aug.

30,

1862

Conner, AA'. B

do

Aug.

3°,

1862

Cottrel, William..

do

Oct.

3,

1862

Cumpston. John..

do

Aug.

30,

1862

Chambers. W. H.

do

Oct.

ID,

1862

Cottrel, Jonas

do....

Aug.

30,

1862

Duer, Florence...

do....

Sept.

23,

1864

Dye. William L..

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Denney, Clark....

do

Oct.

3,

I.S62

Drake, Alex. S...

do

Oct.

10,

1862

Evans, Benj. B...

Ao

Aug.

30,

1862

Estle, Daniel L...

do

Aug.

30,

1862

Farrer, John G. ..

do

Aug.

22,

l8fi2

Faas, John

...do

Sept.

10,

1864

Fisher, David....

do

Sept.

19,

1864

Fulierton, Bryam

do

Aug.

1864

Frankenberrv, 'a..

do

Aug.

30,

1862

Filbey. Barton E.

do....

Oct.

3,

1862

Gosline. Nelson..

\\'agoner

Aug.

30,

1862

Gibbons, A. J

Private

Sept.

i86^

Grim, David

... .do

Sept.

19.

1864

Griffin, Samuel...

do

Jan.

27,

1864

Gwyam, Jesse F..

do

Aug.

30,

1862

Gass, Samuel W.

do

Oct.

3,

1862

Grim, William...

do

Oct.

10,

1862

Grim, Lycurgus..

do....

Aug.

30,

1862

Houshaher, P....

do

Sept.

22,

1864

Himes, John

do

Oct.

31,

1863

Howard, George..

do

Sept

6,

1862

REMARKS.

Feb. 5,

-mustered

1865— mustered ou

1865— mustered ou

5, 1865 — mustered ou

1863 — died at Chatta

'21, 1865.

IS, 1863.

Promoted to Corp

with Co., June 21,
Promoted to Corp., Feb. 5, 1865— mustered ou'

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 15,

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp.^ March 15,

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 15,

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., May

nooga, Tenn., Dec. 24, 1863.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan
Promoted to resr. saddler, March i, 1863.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to U. S. A.. Oct. 30, 1862.
Discharged on .Surgeon's certificate. Feb. 23, 1863.
Transferred to Signal Corps, Oct. 27, 1863.
Transferred to Co. A, Tune 21, 1865.
Died at Carlisle, Pa.. Nov. 18, 1862.
Died at Lavercyie, Tenn., Jan. 5, 1863, of wounds

received in action.
Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F— date unknown
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown,
^'ot on muster-out roll.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Aug. 6, 1863.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 3, 1863.
Transferred to U. S. A., Aug. 30, 1862.
Transferred to Co. .\, Tune 21, 1865.
Died at Xashville, Tenn., Feb. 12, 1863— buried in

National Cemetery.
Died at Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 3. 1863— buried in

National Cemetery, section B, grave 1177.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. PT — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
Discharged by General Orders, June 24, 1865.
^'schprsed by General Orders. May 12, 1865.
Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
Killed at Stone River, Tenn.. Dec. 31, 1862— buried

in National Ceme*^erv. section B. grave 88.
Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1^65.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 186;;.
Mustered out with Co.. June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Signal Corps, Oct. zy. 1863.
Deserted, Dec. 8, 1862.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Prisoner from .April 12 to 30, 1865 — discharged June

20th. to date ^fay 18, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21. 1S65.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co.. June 21, 1865.
Promoted to 2d Lieut 4th Reg. U. S. C. A., April
5. 1865 — mustered out. Feb. 25, 1866.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pcnusylz'auia Caz'alry. yyy

Heiter, Joseph J..
Hoke, George N.

Hawkins, A. LeR.

Hewitt, Jacob

Hewitt, Eli

Hewitt, Samuel..

Houlsworth, J

Houston, Samuel
Houston, Joseph.
Haitzell, Edwin..
Hartley, John M.
Hughes, Tames...
Johns, Albert M.
Johnston, Valen..
Jamison, W. F. . .
Jameson, John A.
Jordan, Robert H.
Kimmel, Jacob...

Kinney, Eaton

Ketcham, John...
Keys, Cary M....
Kincaid, Robert..

Kent, James

Krouse, Enos

LamoreiTx, E. B.
Leas, William H.
Lippincott, W. H.
Lundy, William..

Lewis, Josiah

Mehl, Edwin M..
Metzler, John H..

Miller, C., Tr

Mills, Edward L.
Moyer, James W.
Morrow, Wm. H.
Myers, Alpheus..
Moore, Jacob B..
Marcus, William.
Moroney, Math. .
Minor, Andrew J.
Murdock, W. B".
Milligan, Samuel.
Milliken, Jas. H. .
Milligan, Jonas...
Milligan, Edward
Messenger, Jas...
Moredock. John..
M'Nay, Jasper...
M'Clain. William
M'Govern, Thos..

M'Nay, N. B.....
M'Cormick, Jas...
M'Carty, Boyd Y.
M'Glumphey, J. B.
Newman, W. H. ..

Norman, S. H. . .

Nichols, Thos. M.
Newbaker, P. C. .

Nichols, Erasmus
Pierce, Joseph K.
Pratt, Ingram

Pyles, James M..
Philips, John W..
Robertson, John..
Rull, William....
Ross, Jacob

Private
...do....

...do....

...do....
...do....

..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
..do..
,.do..
,.do..
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do..

Mar. 21, 1S64
Sept. 6, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862
Aug. 30, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 10, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 10, 1862
Oct. 10, 1862
Aug. 30, 1862
Aug. 30, 1862
Oct. 27, 1864
Aug. 30, 1862
Aug. S, 1864
Oct. 3, 1862
3, 1862
3, 1862
10, 1862
3, 1862
30, 1862

3, 1862

10, 1862

3, 1862

8, 1864

22, 1864

27, 1864

30, l8f2

REMARKS.

Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.

Aug.

Oct.

Oct.

Oct.

Oct.

Aug.

Sept.

Sept.

Aug.

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22,

Aug. 22,

Oct. 10,

Oct. 3,

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Mar. 21, 1864

Mar. II, 1S64

Aug. 30, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Aug. 30, 1R62

Aug. 30, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

1862
18P2

1862

do

Oct.

^,

T8fi2

do

Oct.

T862

do

Oct.

1862

do

Oct.

1862

do

Sept.

1862

do

Aug.

2-,

1862

do

Oct.

tS6^

do

Aug.

22,

1862

do

Oct.

S,

m?.

do

Aug.

22,

I8fi2

do

Aug.

30,

1862

do

Aug.

,^0,

1862

do

Aug.

^0,

lSh2

do

Sept.

6,

1862

do

Aug.

1862

do....

Aug.

30,

1862

S65.

1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., April 2, 1863 — buried
in National Cemetery, Stone River.

Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Not on muster-out roll.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Oct. 12, 1863.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. II — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co.. June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 23, 18C3.

Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Not on muster-out roll.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged by General 'Orders, June 9, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21

Mustered out with Co., June 21

Mustered out with Co.. June 21

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Apr

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb.

Transferred to Signal Corps, Oct. 27, 1863.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21', 1S65.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.

Transferred to Co B — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1S65.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Died at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 22, 1863 — buried in
National Cemetery, section E, grave 2089.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D— date unknown.

Prisoner from May 2 to 10, 1865— discharged, June
i6th, to date May 21. 1865.

Promoted to 2d Lieut. Co. B 184th Reg. P. \'.,
April 29, 1864.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 8, 1863.

Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Aug. i,
1863— discharged bv General Orders, July 5, 1865.

Deserted Dec. 8, 1862.

Discharged by General Orders, May 20, 1865.

Died at Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 8, 1863— buried in
, National Cemeterv, section B, grave 1104.
I Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 4, 1865.

28, 1863.
25, 1863.

778 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Reynolds, Jacob..
Ransom, George . .

Riggle, Amos

Reynolds, John B.
Ross, David D...
Rickey, James L.

Rox, John

Reinhart, Bennett
Ritchie, Clement.
Sawyers, John \V.

Schrader, A

Shoaf, Daniel

Sullivan, William

Sunday, John

Struble, Lot J...
Sharps, Charles T.

Steel, William

Shaffer, Wm. G...

Supplee, H

Smith, John

Smith, \\'illiam...
Stees, Thos. W...
Stevenson, Alfred
Stone, George E.

Sproat, T. R

Smith, W. P

Sayers, Harry C. .
Shirk. Michael M.
Strosnider, W. A.
Shape. :\lilton S..
Thornlee, Jas. W.
Thomas, Joshua. .

Private
...do....

Turner, Abel

Turner, Josiah

Thomas, F. M

Waiter, John

Matts, Wilbur

Weatherby,J.C.,Jr.
Wagner, Aug. D.
Wilson, Chas. T..

A\'ilson, Wva

Williams, E. P...

Wood, E. W

Wavchuff, J. D....
\\hite, David C...

ANiser, Angelo

Worthington, R .
Wilev. Tames j\L.
Zoll,'john M. Jr.

Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. b, 1864

.do I Aug. 30, 1S62

.do i Sept. 6, 1862

..do I Aug. 30, 1862

..do j Aug. 30, 1862

.do Aug. 30, 1862

.do [ Aug. 30, 1862

,.do I Aug. 30, 1862

..do Sept. 15, 1864

..do Sept. 12, 1864

..do Aug. 19, 1864

..do ' Aug. 21, 1864

..do Oct. 10, 1862

..do Aug. 30, 1862

..do ' Oct. 3, 1862

..do i Aug. 30, 1862

..do I Aug. 22, 1862

..do Aug. 22, 1862

..do I Oct. 17, 1864

..do I Tune 18, 1864

..do i Oct. 10, 1862

..do I Aug. 30, 1862

..do ' Aug. 30, 1862

..do I Oct. 3, 1862

..do Oct. 10, 1862

..do I Aug. 30, 1862

..do i Aug. 30, 1S62

..do { Aug. 30, 1862

..do Aug. 30, 1862

..do I Aug. 22. 1862

..do ! Aug 30, 1862

..do Oct. 3, 1862

..do i Oct. 3, 1862

..do Aug. 30, 1862

..do I Aug. 22, 1862

..do I Oct. 10, 1862

..do • Aug. 22, 1862

..do i Oct. 10, 1862

..do Oct. 3, 1862

..do I Oct. to, 1862

..do Aug. 22, 1862

..do ! Oct. 3, 1862

..do I Aug. 30, 1862

..do Aug. 30, 1862

..do Aug. 30, 1862

..do Aug. 30, 1862

..do ; Nov. 30, 1861

. do j Aug. 22, 1862

REMARKS.

Discharged, March 10, 1863.

Died at Nashville, Tenn., May 25, 1865 — buried in

National Cemeterv section I, grave 1126.
Deserted, Feb. 10, 1863.
Deserted, March i, 1863.
Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. B— date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
■ ' - - ,^ 1865.

I, 1865.
June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co.,

Mustered out with Co.,

Mustered out with Co.,

Mustered out with Co., June 21,

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 29, 1863.
i Transferred to U. S. A., Oct. 30, 1862.

Transferred to \'eteran Reserve Corps, Sept. 30, '63.

Transferred to X'eteran Reserve Corps, April 30, 1S64.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., June 2, 1S63.

Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. I — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Ti-ansferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Not on muster-out roll.
1 Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.

Deserted, March i, 1863.

Died at Nashville, Tenn., March 4, 1863— buried in
National Cemetery, section E, grave 8i5.
; Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
I Transferred to Co. D — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Discharged by General Orders, July 5, 1S65.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

I^ischarged on Surgeon's certificate, Oct. 31, 1863.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, July 20, 1863.
; Discharged for promotion, Feb. 28. 1865.

Discharged by General Orders, May 31, 1865.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. F — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

COMPANY L.

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTEK
INTO SERVICE.

Washington Airey

Captain

Aug. 22, 1862

Promoted from Serg. Maj., March i, 1863— cap-
tured at Dandridge, Tenn., Dec. 24, 1863— dis-
charged May 18, 1865.

James B. Curtin.

ist Lieut.

Nov. 27, 1861

Promoted from private Anderson Troop, Oct. 10,
1862— resigned, Feb. 27, 1863.

W. P. Rockhill..

do

Aug. 22, 1862

Promoted from private to Corp., Oct. 30, 1862— to
Serg., Jan. i, 1863— to ist Serg., Co. C, March i.

1S63— to Capt. Co. C, May 8, 1863.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 779

NAME.

RANK.

A. N. Morton ist Lieut.

A. B. Coleman... ist Serg.

H. M'Allister, Jr. | do

C. P. liowyer Q.M. Serg.

Ellis L. Vandlin° ' Com. Sr.
John P. Strebig. . Sergeant

John B. Kreider.. ■ do,

S. R. Jamison... do,

C. P. Bechtel do,

John W. Gay i do,

David Holmes : do,

C. E. Scheide , do.

A. T. Drinkhouse I do..

C. F. Clark, Jr... ' do..

Silas F. Herring.. do.

Smith D. Cozens.

Chas. R. Jenkins, j .

G. J. Shields ,.

John P. Anderson , .

Hampton Wilson .

Joseph Bontemps. :.

Thomas W. Dyolt ■ .

Jos. S. Overholt. . i .

Charles M'Ginley. i.

Tames A. Weir. . . | .
j. H. Haddock.. .

Russell A. Olin.. ,.

Henry C. Potts... j.

N. F. Weigle

Jesse F. Gwynn.. .
Abram Hartranft.

George Ulrich

Allen, George Q.. [
Albright, Cyrus J. .
Agnew, James. . . | .
Allen, George W. .
Birnbaun, R. J.. . i .
Burro way, M. J. . .
Biggert, Henry. . .
Berkstresser, J.B. .
Bunting, Joseph..!.

Corporal
do.

..do..

..do..

..do..

..do..

..do..

..do..

..do..
..do..

..do..

..do..

Bugler

..do...
Farrier
Saddler
Private

.do..

.do..

.do..

.do..

.do..

.do..

do..

.do..

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug-. 22, 1862

Sept. 6, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1S62

Oct. 3. 1862

Aug. 22
Aug. 22

1S62
1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Sept. 6, 1862

xKug. 22, 1862

Au^. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 9, 1862

Sept. 14, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Promoted to Corp., Oct. 30, 1862— to ist Serg.,

March i, 1863— to ist Lieut., May 8, 1863— mus-
tered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 20, 1863—10 Serg., Nov.

I, 1863 — to ist Serg., Sept. 14, 1864 — commis-
sioned 2d Lieut., March 15, 1865 — not mustered —

discharged by General Orders, June 20, 1865.
Promoted to ist Serg., Nov. 24, 1862— to ist Lieut.

Co. G, March i, 1863.
j Promoted to Q. M. Serg., Nov. ic, 1864 — mustered

out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., June 5, 1863— to Com. Serg.,
I July 8, 1864— mustered out with Co., June 21, '05.
Promoted to Corp., March 23, 1864— to Serg., July
j 15, 1864 — mustered out with Co., June 2ij 1865.
I Promoted to Corp., March 23, 1S64— to Serg., Sept.
] ii|, 1864 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., July 8, 1864 — to Serg., Nov. 10,

1864 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted from private, Nov. 10, 1864 — mustered

out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, 1864 — to Serg., June

I, 1865 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Capt. 44th Reg. U. S. C. T., May 27,

1864— mustered out, April 30, 1866.
Prisoner from Dec. 29, 1862, to Nov., 1863 — pro-
! moted to Corn Oct., 1862— to Q. M. Serg., i\Iay
I I, 1864— to Adjt., June 30, 1864.

Discharged by Special Order, April 6, 1865.
I Promoted to Serg., Oct. 30, 1862— discharged on
} Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 7, 1S63.
Promoted to Serg., Oct. 30, 1862 — killed at Stone

River, Tenn., Dec. 29, 1862 — buried in National

Cemetery, Nashville, Tenn.
j Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, 1864 — discharged by
1 General Orders, July 5, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, 1864 — mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 10, 1S64 — mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865— mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865 — mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., June i,

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., June 1,

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., June i,

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Q. M. 32d Reg. U. S.

10, 1864 — mustered out, Aug. 22, 1865.
Discharged by General Orders, May 17, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Oct. 30, 1862 — to Adjt. 89th

Reg. P. v., Dec. 29, 1862.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 24, 1862 — discharged on

Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 9, 1863.
Promoted to Corp., Oct. 30, 1862— to , Serg. Co. K,

March i, 1863.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Signal Corps, October 22, 1863.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1S65.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered ovit with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 3, 1863.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb.

1865 — mustered out
1865 — mustered out
1S65 — mustered out
C. T., March

15, 1864.

I Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 9,

1863.
1863.

780 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER
INTO SERVICE.

Brown, James H.

Private

Aug. 19, 1864

Burke, Henry

do

July 21, 1S64

Butler, James....

do

July 30, 1864

Bartram, Isaac...

' do

Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862

Bartram, Benj....

do

Burchinell, \\ . K.

do

Oct. 3, 1862

Beisel, Reuben...

dc

Oct. 10, 1862

Cottrel, Jonas

do

Aug. 30, 1862
1 Aug. 30, 1864

Crooks, James \V.

do

Crooks, Allen J...

do

Aug. 30, 1864

Coder, George P.

do

Sept. 23, 1864

Clements, David.

....do

Aug. 30, 1^64

Collahan, John C.

do

Aug. 22, i8£2

Carlisle, Wm. R..

do

Oct. 3, 1862

Collahan, '1 . B. . .

do

Apr. 12, 1864

Collins, Charles..

do

Apr. 29, 1864

Craven, John

do

May 11, 1864

Clapp, Iheop

do

Oct. ID, 1862

Cox, Roland

do

Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862

Chilton, Harris J.

do

Curtis, Samuel Y.

do

Clark, George S..

do

Campbell, \V. P..

do

Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862

Castle, James H..

do

Camp, Hezekiah..

do

Creger, Calvin W.

do

Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 26, 1864

Derkin, Thomas..

do

Diehl. J^ewisCJr.

do

Oct. 3, 1862

Duffield, G. E

do

Feb. 24, 1864

Devitt, Charles H.

do

Feb. 20, 1864

Dysart, Edmund.

do

Oct. 3, 1S62
Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 10, 1862

Duncan, John H.

do

Dunham, T. H...

do

Engle, Edward H.

do

Aug. 22, 1862
Sept. 28, 1864

Ehrhart, D. C

do

Eaton, Erank S...

do

Oct. 3, 1862

Ennis, William...

do

Apr. 13, 1864

Esbenshade, J. B.

do

Oct. 10, 1862

do

Oct. 10, 1862

Edwards, Oliver..

do

Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 10, 1862

Esbenshade, D. B.

do

Eckey, Harry B..

do

Oct. 10, 1862

Fisher, Harry C. .

do

Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Feb. 24, 1864
May 10, 1864
Aug. 22, 1862

Foulkfis, Albert..

do

Gibson, Lewis M.

do

Gallagher, Alfred.

do

Godshall, Abra'm

do

Guy, William

do

Sept. 6, 1864

Gordon, William.

do

, July 25, 1864

do

Aug. 18, 1864

Garner, Abra'm..

do

Oct. 3, 1862
Oct. 10, 1862

Gordon, Robert..

do

Graham, Thos. J.

do

Jan. 20, 1864

Hopkins, A. M...

do

Sept. 6, 1862

Hall, Thomas....

do

Jan. s, 1864
Jan. 5, 1864

Hall, Robert

do

Hamilton, Adolph

do

Tan. s, 1864

Holt, Samuel B..

do

"Oct. 3, 1862

Hamilton, T. G...

do

Sept. 12, 1864

Howe, James

do

Aug. 18, 1864

Hanly, Peter

do

Mar. 8, 1864

Harrigan, Math. .

do

Mar. 8, 1864
Oct. 3, 1S62

Humphrey, Thos.

do

Hubbell, Johnston

do

Oct. 10, 1862 1

Never joined Co.

Never joined Co.

Never joined Co.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Muster out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Muster out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865 — died, June
30, 1865 — buried in National Cemetery, Nashville,
Tenn.

Mustered out with Co., Aug. 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., Aug. 21, 1865.

Promoted to 2d Dieut. looth Reg. U. S. C. T.,
June 16, 1864 — to ist Lieut., Oct. 21, 1865 — mus-
tered out, Dec. 26, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. 24, 1863.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Never joined Co.
I Never joined Co.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. B — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. 1 — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

Promoted to Reg. (J. M. Serg., March i, 1863.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Died, April 5, 1863 — buried in National Cemetery,

Stone River, Tenn.
Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
j Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 25, 1863.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged, Aug. 8th, to date, June 21,
Died at Munreesboro, Tenn., Jan.
wounds received at Stone River, Dec. 29, 1S62
buried in National Cemetery, grave no.
Never joined Co.

Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, (une 21, 1865.
Died at Philadelphia, Pa., April 29, 1863.
Never joined Co.
Never joined Co.
Never joined Co.

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Not on muster-out roll.
Discharged by General Order, June 7,
Transferred to i8ist Reg. P. V. — date

ransferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Died at Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 12, 1863

National Cemetery.
Never joined Co.
Never joined Co.
.\ever joined Co.
.Never joined Co.
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

ransferred to Co. A — date unknown.

1865.
3, 1863,

of

1865.
inknown.

-buried

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 781

Hart, Wiliiam

Hamilton, Mont..

rvin, Ihomas...

rvvin, William E.

ones,. Hugh R...

accb's, Henry H.

ackson, A. W . . .

.ones, Al. L

Kneas, Franklin..

Kimball, G. P

Krantz, John

Longshore, C. L.
Long, William IL
Loflt, Christian L.

Lingie, H. S

Lingerheld, J. Jr.
Lingel, Lycurgu=.
Longmire, J. \\'..

Loan, William

Lawrence, Thos...

Markey, Aug

Myers, Henry H.
Monaghan, Peter.

Mears, Harry

Moyer, Charles...
Montgomery, C. P.

Muta, Edward

Mearin, William.
Magee, Charles...
Middleton, E. Jr..
Moyer, James \V.
Miller, Emanuel..
Moore, Jacob R..
Marker, A. W....
Martin, Oliver...
Morrow, ^\'m, H.
Musser, Michael.
Mills, Edward L.
Marshall, John G.
Morris, W'illiam..
Morris, Josiah W'.
Mills, Thomas PL
M'Donald, W'. H.
M'Conaghy, John
M'Kinney, David
Nieman, W'm. T.
Oliver, H. N

Oldfield, Henry...
O'Neil. William..
Pohl, Edward J..
Price, Albert M..
Palmer, Wm. M.

I'fander, John

Powell, Wm. H...

Phillips, SamueL.
Parry, Edward C.
Quinn, Frank J.. .
Rihl, Albert M...
Rushton, Wm. L.

Requa, James E..
Robinson, Alex...
Richards, Job \V.
Steinmetz, J. R. ..

Steel, Samuel

Supplee, Warren.
Scull, Daniel

Private
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do...,
...do....
...do...,
...do....
...do...,
...do...,
. .do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...

..do.
..do.
..do.
..do.
..do.

..do.
..do.

DATE OF MUSTER

INTO

SERVICE.

Oct.

3,

1S62

Oct.

3.

1862

Alar.

1S64

Oct.

3.

1862

Oct.

10,

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Oct.

5.

1864

Oct.

3.

1862

Sept.

2b,

1864

Oct.

10,

1862

Jan.

5.

1864

Oct.

10,

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Mar.

4.

1864

Oct.

3.

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Aug.

22,

1862

Oct.

10,

1862

Oct.

3,

1862

Oct.

10,

1862

Aug.

22,

1862

Aug.

2^,

1862

Atig.

26,

1864

Au,^.

22,

1862

Aug.

30.

1862

Jan.

5,

1864

Feb.

1864

Oct.

12,

1864

Apr.

30>

1864

Oct.

3.

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Oct.

3'

1862

Oct.

3,

1862

Oct.

10,

1862

Oct.

10,

1862

Oct.

10,

1862

Oct.

10,

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Oct.

10,

1S62

Sent.

29,

1864

Oct.

3.

1862

Oct.

3,

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Tan.

5.

1864

Oct.

3,

1862

Oct.

10,

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Aug.

22,

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Oct.

3-

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Oct.

3,

1S62

Oct.

3,

1862

Aug.

1862

Aug.

22,

1862

Aug.

22,

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Aug.

22,

1862

Aug.

30.

1862

Oct.

3.

1862

Aug.

22,

1862 I

1

REMARKS.

Transferred to Co. E — date unknown.
Not on muster-out roll.
Never joined Co.

Transferred to Co. E— discharged, Sept. i6, 1S64.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged by Special Order, April 15, 1863.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Dec. g, 1862.
Died at Philadelphia, Pa. — date unknown.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, March 20, '63.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 26, 1863.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. C — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
I'romoted to hospital steward U. S. A., June 6, '63.
Promoted to Adjt. 73d Reg. P. \ ., Jan. 8, 1864.
Transferred to 181st Reg. P. V. — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M— date unknown. '

Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. M — date unknown.
Discharged by General Order, July i.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. G— date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
Transferred to \ eteran Reserve Corps, March 15,

1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. G — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 2}, 1865.
Wounded and captured at Mossy Creek, Tenn.,

Dec. 29, 1863 — paroled — absent at muster out.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 4, 1863.
Died at Nashville, Tenn., of wounds received at

Stone River, Dec. 29. 1862 — Died, Jan. 31, 1863 —

buried in National Cemetery.
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.
Discharged by General Order, May 31
Transferred to \eteran Reserve Corps,

1864.
Killed in action, Aug. i, 1863.
Transferred to Co. Iv — date unknown.
Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21. 1865.
Discharged by General Order, June 9,
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

i86s

1865.
March

1865.

782 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Shelmire, John J.
Schauers, West...
Schreves, Geo. H.
Stevens, Edwin T.

Smith, Corvin F. ,
Sherts, James H.
Sample, N. W...,
Sharps, C. H....
Steinberger, Chas
Saibel, Augustus

Tack, Francis

Taggart, John O
Torbert, John...
Ulrich, Terrill...
Upham, W. A. . . ,
Withington, R.,Jr

\Miite, Isaac

Wallace, Peter G
White, Joseph G.
Williams, J. A. C

Private
...do....
...do....
...do....

do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do.,
.do'.,
.do..

Wills, Andrew....

.....do....

Wills, William,...

do....

Wagner, W. B...

do....

White, Richard G.

do....

Weiler, Isadore..

do....

Wilson, John

do....

Wilson, Chas. T..

do....

Williams, J. M...

do....

^^■agner, Aug. D.

do....

Watts, Wilbur...

do....

Williams, Edw. R

do....

■\\'aison, Samuel..

do....

Wilson, John C...

do....

Yournson, W m. . .

do....

Zeibel, Aug

do....

Ausr. 22, 1862

Aug. 16, i£64

Oct. 10, 1S62

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.

1862

Oct.

Sept.

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

3, 1862

4, 1864
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

10, 1862

22, 1862

10, 1862

10, 1862

Oct.
Aug.
Oct.
Oct.

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, TSfia

Feb. 3,

Oct.

1864

Mar. 8, 1864

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct.

I8(J2

Feb. 22, 1864
Oct. 3, 1862

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Absent, wounded at muster out.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Feb. 20, 1863.

Died at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 25, 1863— burial
record, Feb. 23, 1863— buried in National Ceme-
tery.

Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. M— date unknown.

Transferred to Co. C— date unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
, Deserted, Feb. i, 1863.

Transferred to Co. F— date unknown.
I Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1S65.
j Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, June 27, 1863.
; Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Absent, sick, at muster out.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
! Mustered out with Co., Tune 21, 186=;.

Promoted to ist Lieut. loist Reg. U. S. C. T.,
April 18, 1864— to Capt. 40th Reg. U. S. C. T.,
I July 17, 1865— discharged, Jan. 25, 1866.
! Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 13, 1864.
1 Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 26, 1864.
j Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Jan. 24, '63.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Died at Murfreesboro. Tenn., Jan. 5, 1S63, of
wounds received at Stone River, Dec. 29, 1862.
j Never joined Co. ,

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. D' — date unknown.
I Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.
I Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. H — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. K — date unknown.

Transferred to Co. A — date unknown.

COMPANY M.

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER
INTO SERVICE.

REMARKS.

James A. I.ashell

Captain

Mar.

j_

1863

Discharged, May 8, 1863.

do

Sept.

6,

1862

Promoted from ist Lieut. Co. B, May 8, 1863—

mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

James M. Rea

ist Lieut.

Nov.

30.

1861

Promoted from private Anderson Troop, March
I, 1863— discharged May 8, 1863.

Henry K. Weand

do

Aug.

22,

1862

Promoted to Corp., Oct. 30, 1862— to Serg., Nov. i,

1862— to 1st Serg., March i, 1863— to ist Lieut.,

May 8, 1863— commissioned Capt. Co. H, Feb.

20, 1S65— not mustered— mustered out with Co.,

June 21, 1865. ' , .

David R. Conard

ist Serg.

Aug.

22,

1862

Promo*ed from private to Serg., March i, 1863—
to ist Serg., May 8, 1863— commissioned 2d
Lieut., Feb. 20, 1865— not mustered— mustered
out with Co. June 21, 1865.

Josiah W. Morris

0. n. Serg.

Oct.

10,

1S62

Promoted to Corp., Feb. 7, 1865— to Q. M. Serg.,
March 16, 1865— mustered out with Co., June 21,
1865.

Promoted from private, March i, 1863— discharged

do

Aug.

22,

1862

on Surgeon's certificate. May 27, 1863.

Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. 783

T. F. Ramsey.... Q. M. Serg.

G. K. Mecke

Abner Evans

Samuel T. Tyson.
E. W. xVnderson. .
John D. Lewis...
Alexander Milne.

Jesse Jenkins

J. H. Dunham....
William Benner..

Alvin Haines

D. B. Esbenshadc
John F. Turner..

Albert Super

Chas. H. Weaver
Geo. \\'. Edwards
Jos. M. Longmire
Ferd. J. Link....

REMARKS.

Sergeant

....do

....do

....do

....do

Corporal

....do..

....do..

....do..

....do..

....do...

....do.

....do.

Bugler
....do...

Jesse Asper Farrier

Adair, James C .
Arnold, Robert P.
Adams, Frank T.
Arnold, H. W....
Anspach, F. W...

Arnold. R. P

Bonga, August. . .
Brown, George...

Baker, Henry

Badder, Jacob S.

Brown, W. J

Benners, S. C

Buttorf, Geo. W.
Bowers, George...
Clark, Noah G...
Claproth, Christ..
Creager, C. W...
Clark, Daniel A..

Calolay, Peter

Desilver, Harry..

Eves, \A'illiam

Eckey, Harry B.
Faucett, John F..
French, John V. .
Gellespi, Andrew .
Gaw, Alex. O

Haslett, Tames B.
Hirst, John C...

Heck, George

Keyser, Chas. M..

Private
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
...do..
Cook
Private
...do...,
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...

...do...
...do...
...do...
...do...

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 9, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 3, 1862
Nov. 20, 1862
Oct. 10, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 10, 1SC2
Sept. 6, 1862
Sept. 6, 1S62
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 10, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 12, 1S64

Sept. 8, 1864
Oct. 10, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 12, 1864

Aug. 30, 1862

May 30, 1863

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 18, 1862

Feb. 20, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Sept. 21, 1864

Aug. 26, 1864

Oct. 3, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Apr. 4, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 17, 1864

Oct. 10; 1,862

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Aug. 16, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 15, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862

Jan. 28, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Promoted from private to Com. Serg., March i,

1863— to O. M., June 4, 1863— to ist Lieut. Co. H,

March 12, 1865.
Promoted from private,, July 9, 1864 — mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1S65.
Promoted from private, June 4, 1863— to Reg.

Com. Serg., July 9, 1864.
Promoted from private, March i, 1863— discharged

by General Orders, June 19, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— to Serg., June

9, 1S63 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Proinoted to Corp., March i, 1863"— to Serg., Nov.

II, 1864— mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov. 11, 1864— to Serg., March

16, 1865 — mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March i, 1863— to Serg., Nov.

II, 1864 — transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Aug.

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov.

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov.

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., Nov.

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, iSfis— mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1S65— mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Promoted to Corp., March 16, 1865 — mustered out

with Co., Tune 21, 1865.
Promoted to Capt. 17th Reg. TJ .S. C. T., Feb. 5,

1864 — discharged, Sept. 5, 1864.
Died at Huntsville, Ala, Feb. i, 1863— buried in

National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Tenn., section

H, grave 88.
Promoted to Farrier, Nov. 9, 1864— mustered out

with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged by General Orders, July 5, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

1863 — mustered out
1S64 — mustered out
1864 — mustered out
1864 — mustered out
1865 — mustered out

Discharged for promotion, July 7, 1863.

Dischar,ged on Surgeon's certificate, March, 1S63.

Dropped from the rolls, Feb. 21, 1863.

Discharged by Special Order, Feb. 7, 1865.

Mustered out with Co,, June 21, 1S65.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1S65.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. May 13. 1863.

Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jan. 23, 1863.

Deserted, Feb., 1865.

Deserted, Feb., 1864.

Dishonorably discharged — da'.e unknown.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., April 14, 1863.

Deserted, Feb., 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1863.

Mustered out with Co.. June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, Nov. 25, 1863.

Discharged by General Order, June 7, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., Tune 21, 1865.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged for promotion as 2d Lieut. 6ist P. V. I.,

Nov. 15, 1863.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged by General Order, May 18, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, Tune 21, 1865.
l^romoted to Capt. 15th" Reg. U. S..C. T., Dec. 22,

1S63 — mustered out, April 7, 1866.

784 Muster Roll of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Lawrence, Thos. .

Little, Jos. D

Miller, Jesse

Moore, John

Moore, Horace A.
Morris, Wm. H.. .
Maxseimer, J. C.
Miller, Phillip }'..
Mills, Thomas H.

Murphy, Patrick.
M'Mahan, S. H...
Negus, James E..
Negley, Wilhelm.
O'Brien, Francis.
Pickman, Henry.
Peckman, William

Pope, John

Pontius, Joseph..
Ransig, Charles..
Ransig, Frederick
Relingshafer, Geo.
Robinson, T. C...

Roberts, John

Simons, W^m. F. .

Shaw, John

Shaw, William A.

Snyder, H. D

Stine, Charles A..
Smith, Corrin F.
Stazell, Albert....

Sands, Lawrence.

Sanford, J. W.... |
Scarborough, Wm.
Sale, Thomas

Spencer, John

Sternberger, Chas.
Thomas, A. W...

Thcrne, Joshua. .
Thomas, F. M

Thomas, Lan

Wallace, W. H. H.
Watson, David...

Weigle, Louis

Weigle, William..
Walker, James K.
W^ilev, Tames M..
WooIsto"n, A. D..
AVallace, John C.
Wright, Julian P.

Wilt, James A

Watson, E. D

Weaver, John

Walker, W. A....

Young, M. H

Private

....do

Teamster 1

Private
....do.
....do.
....do.
....do.
....do.

Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862
Sept. 9, 1864
Aug. 22, 1862
Oct. 10, ib62
Oct. IG, 1862
Jan. 28, 1864
Aug. 22, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

Apr.
Apr.
Oct.
May,
Oct.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Apr.
Aug.
Aug.
Aug.
Sept.
Aug.
Oct.
May

13, 1864

8, 1864
3, 1862

9, 1864
10, 1862
26, 1864
26, 1864
26, 1864
22, 1862

25, 1864
2b, 1864

26, 1S64
30, 1864
13, 1864
22, 1862
30, 1864
30, 1864

6, 1862

22, 1862

10, 1862

30, 1863

Oct. 10, 1862

Oct. 10, 1862

Mar. 23, 1864

Aug. 22, 1862

Oct. 3, 1862
Aug. 22, 1862

Aug.
Aug.

1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 26, 1864

Aug. 23, 1864

Sept. 3, 1864

Aug. 30, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1862

Aug. 22, 1S62

Aug. 22, 1862

April I, 1864

Jan. 24, 1863

Sept. 24, 1864

Aug. I, 1S64

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certilicate. May 8, 1863.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1S65.

Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.

Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 21, 1863.

Discharged by General Order, May 20, 1865.

Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.

Killed in action, Jan., 1865.

Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., June 23, 1863— buried

in National Cemetery, Stone River.
Deserted, Feb., 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 23, 1863.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1665.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1665.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1S65.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Deserted, Feb., 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21^ 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21" 1865.
Discharged by General "Order, June 3, 1863.
Discharged for promotion, Sept. 13, 1863.
Discharged. March 27, i86s, for wounds, with loss

of arm received in action.
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, April 10,

1864.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Captured at Dandridge, East Tenn., Dec. 24, 1863—

died at Andersonville, Ga., Aug. 5, 1864 — grave

4566.
Never joined Co.
Deserted, Feb., 1864.

Prisoner from May 10, 1863, to April 21, 1865— dis-
charged May 31st, to date. May 18, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate. May g, 1863.
Died at Nashville, Tenn., June 24, 1863 — buried in

National Cemetery, section E, grave 142.
Discharged for promotion, Oct. 26, 1864.
: Mustered out witli Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., Jtme 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., lune 21, 1S65
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Mustered out with Co., June 21, 1865.
Discharged on Surgeon's certificate, April 15, 1S64.
Promoted to 2d Lieut. 34th Reg. N. J. V., Oct. i,

1863.
Transferred to Signal Corps, Oct. 22, 1863.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
Transferred to Co. A, June 21, 1865.
j Died at Knoxville, Tenn., May, 1865 — buried in
' National Cemetery, grave 172.

Mustered out with Co., June 21,

CAN YOU FORGET ITV

m

TAPS.

Sleep, soldier, sleep! No more shall high ambition beckon.

Its dreams, its wealth, its power for thee have passed away.
Sleep sweetly, long and well. These playthings of life's hour

Are buried with thy loves of yesterday.

Sleep, soldier, sleep ! What to thee are time or changes ?

In thy dreamless sleep, how canst thou know or care?
Sleep sweetly on till God's reveille bids thee waken

And join the gathering hosts of earth and air.

OF THE

:iPAL MARCHES OF

Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry

Im the C/mvipa.igi\ s of the
Ariviy of the Cum berlain d

1 < f< ^

i

iji i^

V x*^

iplf

"^'W

j «so / S

/p. A-'

LMi

^Vi

TAPS.

Sleep, soldier, sleep! No more shall high ambition beckon.

Its dreams, its wealth, its power for thee have passed away.
Sleep sweetly, long and well. These playthings of life's hour

Are buried with thy loves of yesterday.

Sleep, soldier, sleep ! What to thee are time or changes ?

In thy dreamless sleep, how canst thou know or care?
Sleep sweetly on till God's reveille bids thee waken

And join the gathering hosts of earth and air.